Method for synthesis of 12H-pyrido[1,2-a:3,4-b']diindoles. Total synthesis of homofascaplysin C

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)01052-0

An efficient synthesis of a 12H-pyrido[1,2-a:3,4-b']diindole system is proposed. 3-Methylindole has been converted into homofascaplysin C by a four reaction sequence in which the last step is dehydrogenation and oxidation of the methyl- to formyl group at the same time.