Rhodium(III)-catalyzed synthesis of indoles from 1-alkylidene-2-arylhydrazines and alkynes via C-H and N-N bond cleavages

1-Alkylidene-2-arylhydrazines undergo annulative coupling with internal alkynes in the presence of a rhodium(III) catalyst and a copper(II) salt. The reaction proceeds through cleavage of the C-H and N-N bonds of hydrazines to afford 1,2,3-trisubstituted indole derivatives.