A Mild Bischler–Napieralski-Type Cyclization of Trichloromethyl Carbamates for the Synthesis of β-Carbolinones

A straightforward synthesis of β-carbolinones by the Bischler-Napieralski-type cyclization of the corresponding trichloromethyl carbamates, which does not require acids, bases, oxidants, or transition-metals to promote the cyclization, has been achieved.