Copper(I)-catalyzed carbocyclization of acrylamide-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes with diaryliodonium salts

A novel copper-catalyzed carbocyclization of acrylamide-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes with diaryliodonium salts to construct tetracyclic benzazepine derivatives under mild and convenient conditions has been disclosed. The chemoselective addition of in situ generated arylcopper(III) intermediates onto the activated alkenes triggers the reaction followed by a ring-opening process of alkylidenecyclopropanes, leading to the formation of tetracyclic benzazepine derivatives in moderate to good yields, with excellent functional group tolerance.