The switchable cross-coupling of indoles and pyridotriazoles through carbene insertion at C2- or C3-positon has been developed in this paper. This highly site-selective C−H carbenoid functionalization is determined by both the Rh-catalyst species and auxiliary groups. [Cp*RhCl2]2 and coordinating pyrimidyl group direct the C−H carbenoid functionalization to occur at the C2-position, while Rh2OAc4 and non-coordinating benzyl group lead the reaction to occur at the C3-position of the indoles. This regioselective C−H functionalization strategy is of significant importance for the discovery of indole drugs.
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