Base-promoted intermolecular cyclization of substituted 3-aryl-3-chloropropenals with tetrahydro-β-carboline: a method for the synthesis of indolizino[8,7-b]indole compounds

Abstract

This paper reports a novel base-promoted intermolecular tandem cyclization reaction between 3-aryl-3-chloropropenals and tetrahydro-β-carboline. This reaction provides a simple and practical method for the synthesis of indolizino[8,7-b]indoles, yielding a series of such compounds in moderate to good yields (up to 60%).