The syntheses of polycyclic molecules containing b-carboline units by the photochemically induced ring closure of enamides

The syntheses of 5-methyl-5,8,9,14-tetrahydroindolo(2,3-$\text{c}$)indolo (2,3-$\text{g}$) quinolizin-6-one and 15-methyl-7,8,13,15-tetrahydroindolo ( 3,2-$\text{c}$) indolo(2,3-$\text{g}$)quinolizin-5-one from the photochemical cyclisation of i-methylene-2-(N-`methylindole-2'-carbonyl) 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-B-carboline and 1-methylene-2- (N-`methylindole-3' carbonyl) 1,2,3,4,-tetrahydro-B-carboline are described. Attempts to prepare indolo(2,3-$\text{c}$)isoquinolines from the photochemical cyclisation of 2-benzamidoindoles were unsuccessful.