Rh(III)‐Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation of 2‐Arylindazoles with β‐Ketosulfoxonium Ylides

Abstract The Rh(III)‐catalyzed ortho ‐C−H bond functionalization of 2‐aryl indazoles with β‐ketosulfoxonium ylides has been developed for the synthesis of 6‐arylindazolo[2,3‐ a ]quinoline derivatives in good to excellent yields with a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. The reaction proceeds through a sequential ortho ‐alkylation followed by cyclodehydration. The combination of 5 mol% of Cp*Rh(III) and 40 mol% AgSbF 6 was found to be effective for this conversion.