β-Carbolines: synthesis of harmane, harmine alkaloids and their structural analogs by thermolysis of 4-aryl-3-azidopyridines and investigation of their optical properties

Interest in β-carbolines is caused by the biological activity of these compounds and the use of their fluorescent properties in the study of their interaction with DNA and other biological targets, as well as with drug delivery vehicles. A new general method for the synthesis of harmane, harmine, and their structural analogs by thermolysis of substituted 4-aryl-3-azidopyridines was developed, and their optical properties were studied.