Synthesis of Functionalized (η⁵ -Indenyl)rhodium(III) Complexes and Their Application to C−H Bond Functionalization

Abstract

It has been established that reductive complexation of functionalized benzofulvenes, which are readily prepared from commercially available indene and 2‐methylindene, with RhCl3 in ethanol affords the corresponding indenyl–rhodium(III) dichlorides bearing substituents at the 1‐ (H or CO2Et), 2‐ (H or Me), and 3‐ [CH2Ph or CH2(2‐MeOC6H4)] positions. The indenyl–rhodium(III) complexes bearing one ethoxycarbonyl group showed higher thermal stability and regioselectivity than our previously reported CpERhIII complex toward the oxidative [3+2] annulation of acetanilides with internal alkynes.