Pyridazine N-oxides are used for the first time as precursors of metallocarbenes. These nitrogen-rich heterocycles led to the discovery of a novel acceptor and donor-acceptor enalcarbenoids. The synthetic utility of these metallocarbenes was demonstrated in the rhodium-catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation of pyridazine N-oxides with pyrroles to the valuable alkyl, 7-aryl, and 7-styryl indoles. The transannulation strategy was applied to the synthesis of a potent anticancer agent.
Igeta,H. et al., Chemical and pharmaceutical bulletin, 1975, vol. 23, p. 2798 - 2804