An efficient strategy for the preparation of spirocyclic
indole-N-oxide compounds through a Rh(III)-catalyzed
[4 + 1] spiroannulation
reaction of N-aryl nitrones with 2-diazo-1,3-indandiones
as C1 synthons under extremely mild conditions is presented. From
this reaction, 40 spirocyclic indole-N-oxides were
easily obtained in up to 98% yield. In addition, the title compounds
could be successfully used for the construction of structurally intriguing
maleimide-containing fused polycyclic scaffolds via a diastereoselective
1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with maleimides.