Highly functionalized 4-bromo-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines were synthesized from readily available 4-(2-(bromomethyl)phenyl)-1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles. A bromonium ylide is proposed as the key intermediate, which can be formed by the intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the benzyl bromide on the α-imino rhodium carbene formed in the presence of the rhodium catalyst.

In the presence of a Rh(II) catalyst and β-(methylthio)-α,β-unsaturated ketones, 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles can be converted into functionalized β-amino-α,β-unsaturated ketones via formation of α-imino rhodium carbene/sulfur ylide and subsequent rearrangement. The products decompose to useful 2-methylthiopyrrole derivatives conveniently in high yield.

Sodium iodide is used for the first time as a nucleophile to trap an α-imino rhodium carbene, which triggers a tandem process involving intermolecular nucleophilic attack and intramolecular S2 reaction. A series of 5-iodo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines are obtained in high yield, and the synthetic utility of the products is demonstrated in cross-coupling reactions and the construction of biorelated polycyclic compounds.

Readily available 1‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles were converted into α‐imino carbenes in the presence of catalytic amounts of rhodium(II) salts. The carbenes underwent a tandem reaction with salicylaldehydes to provide a series of functionalized 2,5‐epoxybenzo[f][1,4]oxazepines in high yields.

Highly functionalized 4‐bromo‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinolines were synthesized from readily available 4‐(2‐(bromomethyl)phenyl)‐1‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles. A bromonium ylide is proposed as the key intermediate, which can be formed by the intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the benzyl bromide on the α‐imino rhodium carbene formed in the presence of the rhodium catalyst.