Sodium periodate oxidation of tetrahydro‐β‐carboline derivatives

Abstract The oxidation of some 3‐(methoxy‐ and ethoxycarbonyl)tetrahydro‐β‐carboline derivatives with sodium periodate led to the formation of 1, 4‐benzodiazonine derivatives or fully aromatic β‐carbolines depending on both nature and number of substituents at 1‐position.