Rhodium(III)-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of 5-aryl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrroles with internal alkynes through C(sp²)-H/alkene functionalization.

This study describes a new rhodium(III)-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of 5-aryl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrroles with internal alkynes using a Cu(OAc)2 oxidant for building a spirocyclic ring system, which includes the functionalization of an aryl C(sp(2))-H bond and addition/protonolysis of an alkene C=C bond. This method is applicable to a wide range of 5-aryl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrroles and internal alkynes, and results in the assembly of the spiro[indene-1,2'-pyrrolidine] architectures in good yields with excellent regioselectivities.