Direct synthesis of indenes a rhodium-catalyzed multicomponent C-H annulation reaction

A highly efficient, direct and multicomponent route for the synthesis of indenes is reported herein. This process is catalyzed by a rhodium( iii ) complex and conducted under very mild conditions, making the overall process atom and step-economical. DFT mechanistic studies were performed to explore the mechanism of this reaction system. A highly efficient, direct and multicomponent route for the synthesis of indenes is reported herein.