A direct C-H/Ar-H coupling approach to oxindoles, thio-oxindoles, 3,4-dihydro-1 H-quinolin-2-ones, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines.

A copper(II)-catalysed approach to oxindoles, thio-oxindoles, 3,4-dihydro-1H-quinolin-2-ones, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines via formal C-H, Ar-H coupling is described. In a new variant, copper(II) 2-ethylhexanoate has been identified as an inexpensive and efficient catalyst for this transformation, which utilises atmospheric oxygen as the re-oxidant.

Rhodium-catalysed isomerisation/formal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition cascades to fused-ring heterocycles.

Fused ring heterocycles were synthesised via the rhodium catalysed isomerisation/regio and stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition cascades in good yields.