Lewis Acid Catalyzed [4 + 3] Cycloaddition of Propargylic Alcohols with Azides

An unprecedented Lewis acid catalyzed [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction is described that provides a straightforward route to polycyclic products containing an imine-based indole azepine scaffold, starting from readily available internal tertiary alkynols and azides. This cycloaddition protocol provides efficient and atom-economical access to a new class of fascinating imine-containing products in satisfactory yields, which has shown good application in the construction of seven-membered N-heterocycles.