A reinvestigation of the synthesis of 3H-[1,2]diazepino[5,6-b]indoles. The synthesis of pyrido[4,3-b]indoles

Recently reported [1] syntheses of 6-methyl-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-dioxo-3H[1,2]diazepino[5,6-b]indole ( 5 ) and 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-3H[1,2]diazepino[5,6-b]indole ( 12 ) were reinvestigated and shown to be in error. The correct assignments for these respective structures are 3-amino-1,9-dihydro-9-methyl-2H-pyrido[4,3-b]indol-2,4(3H)-dione ( 6 ) and 3-amino-3,9-dihydro-9-methyl-2H-pyrido[4,3-b]indol-2-one ( 13 ). Condensation of 6 and 13 with p-nitrobenzaldehyde produced benzylidene derivatives, which confirmed the presence of the amino groups.