Main observation and conclusion
An efficient rhodium(Ⅱ)-catalyzed [4+3] cyclization reaction of 1-sulfonyl-1,2-3-triazoles and indoles was developed.Azepino[5,4,3-cd]indoles,which are widely distributed in ergot alkaloids with various biological activities,could be obtained in good to excellent yields.In addition,the total synthesis of (±)-aurantioclavine was completed in four steps from the known compound 1a adopting this[4+3] cyclization as a key step.