Rhodium(III)-catalyzed regioselective C2-alkenylation of indoles with CF3-imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides to give multi-functionalized enamines using a migratable directing group.

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed regioselective C2-alkenylation of indoles for the construction of α-CF3 substituted enamines has been developed, which utilizes CF3-imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides (TFISYs) as alkenylating agents for the first time. A wide array of indolyl- and trifluoromethyl-decorated enamine derivatives have been assembled in moderate to good yields.