Disclosed are 4-substituted and 7-substituted indoles, benzofurans, benzothiophenes, benzimidazoles, benzoxazoles, and benzothiazoles. Also disclosed are methods for making 4-substituted and 7-substituted indoles, benzofurans, benzothiophenes, benzimidazoles, benzoxazoles, and benzothiazoles, including those having the formulae. The methods include contacting a 4-substituted-6,7-dihydro indole, benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, or benzothiazole compound or a 7-substituted-4,5-dihydro indole, benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, or benzothiazole compound with a vinyldiazo compound in the presence of a dirhodium catalyst.