Synthesis of phthalan and phenethylamine derivatives via addition of alcohols to rhodium(II)-azavinyl carbenoids

Abstract

1-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles undergo inter- and intramolecular 1,3-OH insertion with rhodium(II)-azavinyl carbenoid intermediates upon treatment with a rhodium(II) catalyst. Products of this transformation contain a synthetically versatile N-(2-alkoxyvinyl)sulfonamide, enabling divergent reactivity toward several N-protected phenethylamine derivatives under various conditions. Notably, products with a phthalan framework can be accessed directly from 4-aryl-1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles bearing a pendant alcohol.