Rhodium(III)-catalyzed ortho-alkenylation through C-H bond cleavage directed by sulfoxide groups.

The rhodium-catalyzed ortho-alkenylation of phenyl sulfoxides using alkenes or alkynes as substituent sources proceeds efficiently through sulfoxide group directed C-H bond cleavage to produce the corresponding o-alkenylphenyl sulfoxides. The products readily undergo interrupted Pumerer cyclization as well as reduction to afford benzothiophenes and o-alkenylphenyl sulfides.