Copper(II) catalyzed aromatization of tetrahydrocarbazole: An unprecedented protocol and its utility towards the synthesis of carbazole alkaloids

An efficient protocol for the aromatization of tetrahydrocarbazole is described by using catalytic copper(II) chloride dihydrate in DMSO. This newly established methodology has utilized towards the synthesis of naturally occurring carbazole alkaloids, namely 3-methylcarbazole, 3-formyl carbazole, glycozoline, glycozolicine and clauszoline-K. In addition, the protocol is generalized for the aromatization of N-substituted tetrahydrocarbazole, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro β-carboline to give the corresponding heteroaromatic compounds from very good to excellent yield. Moreover, this method has been proven to be tolerant to a broad range of functional groups with excellent yields.