Rhodium(III)-catalysed aerobic synthesis of highly functionalized indoles from N-arylurea under mild conditions through C-H activation.

A Rh(III) catalysed amino arylation of alkynes using copper as the terminal oxidant for regeneration of the catalytically active species under aerobic conditions is described. This novel C-H activation reaction was applied to the synthesis of a wide range of substituted indoles from N-arylureas.