Rhodium-catalyzed C-H activation of 3-(indolin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitriles with diazo compounds and tandem cyclization leading to hydrogenated azepino[3,2,1-hi]indoles.

Rh(iii)-Catalyzed C-H activation of 3-(indolin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitriles with diazo compounds and cyclization leading to seven-membered ring scaffolds has been developed. These reactions involving tandem C-H activation, cyclization, and condensation steps proceed efficiently and display a broad scope of substrates.