Chemoselective three-component synthesis of α-carbolines under metal-free conditions

Abstract

An I₂O₅-promoted three-component tandem reaction for the rapid construction of α-carbolines has been described. The present approach starts from easily available starting materials, chemoselectively producing various α-carbolines in satisfactory yields under simple and metal-free conditions. Most importantly, this strategy can provide anticancer active molecules in one step on the gram scale.