Intramolecular Schmidt reaction of acyl chlorides with alkyl azides: capture of N-acyliminium ion intermediates with aromatic rings.

Intramolecular Schmidt reaction of acyl chlorides with alkyl azides through N-acyliminium ion intermediates is designed and realized. The intramolecular capture of the intermediates with aromatic rings affords several nitrogen-containing tricyclic skeletons. The important feature of the domino process is the efficiency in bond reorganization and ring formation.