Domino rhodium(I)-catalysed reactions for the efficient synthesis of substituted benzofurans and indoles

Rhodium(I) catalysts promote the transformation of o-alkynyl phenols and anilines to the corresponding benzo[b]furans and indoles. The reaction is postulated to proceed via a transient 3-rhodium heterocycle intermediate, which can be trapped with suitable electrophiles to give poly-substituted heterocycles. In the case of mono-substituted electron-withdrawn electrophiles, excellent yield and selectivity for conjugate addition versus Heck–Mizoroki reaction can be achieved. In the case of 2-alkynyl pyridine electrophiles, novel 2-(benzofuran-3-yl)vinylpyridines are formed.