Synthesis of indazoles by the [3+2] cycloaddition of diazo compounds with arynes and subsequent acyl migration.

The [3+2] cycloaddition of a variety of diazo compounds with o-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates in the presence of CsF or TBAF at room temperature provides a very direct, efficient approach to a wide range of potentially biologically and pharmaceutically interesting substituted indazoles in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. Simple diazomethane derivatives afford N-unsubstituted indazoles or 1-arylated indazoles, depending upon the stoichiometry of the reagents and the reaction conditions, while dicarbonyl-containing diazo compounds undergo carbonyl migration to afford 1-acyl or 1-alkoxycarbonyl indazoles selectively.