Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Nitrogen‐Tethered Indoles and Alkylidenecyclopropanes: Convenient Access to Polycyclic Indole Derivatives

At the end of its tether : A new synthetic protocol for the preparation of polycyclic indole derivatives has been developed from a rhodium(I)‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of a nitrogen‐tethered indole and alkylidenecyclopropane, affording the corresponding tetrahydro‐β‐carboline derivatives in moderate to good yields (see scheme). Further transformations give a direct and rapid route to tetracyclic compounds through transition‐metal catalysis.