Synthesis of Functionalized 4-Hydroxy Carbazoles and Carbazole Alkaloids via Ring Expansion of Indole Cyclopentanone.

The exploration of a ring expansion reaction from indole cyclopentanone to generate a range of diversely functionalized 4-hydroxyl carbazole frameworks, representing the core structure of numerous carbazole alkaloids, has been conducted under mild reaction conditions. This approach exhibits broad functional group tolerance and moderate to good yields. The practical applicability of this strategy has been demonstrated through the concise syntheses of carbazomycins A, D, and G.