Synthesis of oxazolidinones through ring-opening and annulation of vinylene carbonate with 2-pyrrolyl/indolylanilines under Rh(iii) catalysis

Herein, we have developed a rhodium-catalyzed C-H functionalization and subsequent intramolecular ring-opening/cyclization of vinylene carbonate with 2-pyrrolyl/indolylanilines, which leads to oxazolidinones in moderate to good yields. In this transformation, vinylene carbonate only eliminates one oxygen atom rather than -CO3 or CO2. Furthermore, some control experiments are conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanism.