Redox-Neutral Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Annulation of Arylhydrazines with Sulfoxonium Ylides To Synthesize 2-Arylindoles

A rhodium-catalyzed redox-neutral reaction of arylhydrazines with sulfoxonium ylides to construct 2-arylindole derivatives in one pot has been developed. The transformation proceeds efficiently under mild conditions and involves tandem C-H activation and an intramolecular dehydration annulation sequence, providing a straightforward pathway to access pharmaceutically and biologically valuable 1-aminoindole derivatives.