Chromone-3-carboxaldehydes in Diels-Alder reactions with indole-o-quinodimethane. Synthesis of tetrahydrochromeno[2,3-b]carbazoles

An efficient route to a new class of indole derivatives, tetrahydrochromeno[2,3-b]carbazoles, has been developed. The cycloaddition reactions of chromone-3-carboxaldehydes with indole-o-quinodimethane gave a diastereomeric mixture of Diels-Alder cycloadducts in good yields after in situ deformylation.