A new synthesis of 4-oxygenated β-carboline derivatives by Fischer indolization

A new and short synthetic route to the 4-methoxy-β-carboline skeleton is described. The route involves Fischer indolization of enehydrazine of 1-tosylpiperidine-3,5-dione and successive acetalization–elimination for aromatization of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-tosyl-9H-β-carbolin-4-one. This method is efficiently applicable to synthesis of the benzene-part substituted 4-oxygenated β-carboline derivatives.