Highly regioselective rhodium(II)-catalysed carbenoid insertion reaction into sp2 CH bond: a general method for the synthesis of 3,3a-dihydro-2H,5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-1,4-dione ring system

A simple and high yielding general method for the synthesis of 3,3a-dihydro-2H,5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-1,4-dione derivatives through a highly regioselective rhodium(II)-catalysed carbenoid sp2 C–H insertion reaction on suitably substituted γ-lactam diazocarbonyl compounds is described.