Synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted 4-ethoxycarbonyl-β-carbolin-1-ones is developed using palladium-catalyzed intramolecular amination of 3-amino-4-(2-bromophenyl)-2-pyridones prepared by the conjugate addition reaction of diethyl 2-aminomalonate to alkynyl imines. The method was applied to the total syntheses of SL651498 exhibiting anxiolytic activity and its analogue.

Synthesis of α‐carbolines is developed using palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular amination of 3‐(2‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐aminopyridines prepared by deprotection of 2‐iminopyridines synthesized using the conjugate addition reaction of ethyl 2‐(2‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐cyanoacetate to alkynyl imines. The palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular amination of the synthesized 2‐aminopyridines proceeded smoothly under microwave irradiation conditions to give the desired α‐carbolines in moderate to good yields.

Synthesis of 3,6-disubstituted 4-ethoxycarbonylpyranoindol-1-ones is developed using palladium-catalyzed intramolecular amination of 3-amino-4-(2-bromophenyl)-2-pyrones prepared by the conjugate addition reaction of diethyl 2-aminomalonate to alkynyl ketones. The