Selective Synthesis of Six Products from a Single Indolyl α-Diazocarbonyl Precursor

Indolyl alpha-diazocarbonyls can be selectively cyclized to give six distinct products through the careful choice of catalyst and reaction conditions. A range of catalysts were used, including complexes of Rh-II, Pd-II, and C-uII, as well as SiO2, to promote diazo decomposition and subsequent cyclization/rearrangement through a range of mechanistic pathways.