N-Aryldiazoamides undergo facile intramolecular aromatic substitution to form 2 (3H)- indolinones in high yield when these reactions are performed in the presence of a catalytic amount of rhodium (I1) acetate. Diazoacetamides react smoothly at room temperature in dichloromethane, whereas the corresponding less reactive diazoacetoacetamides respond in refluxing benzene. A meta methoxy substituent directs substitution solely to its para ...