One-pot synthesis of benzo[c]carbazoles by photochemical annulation of 2-chloroindole-3-carbaldehydes

A novel and efficient procedure for the synthesis of benzo[c]carbazoles has been achieved in moderate to high yields by the one-pot photochemical annulations of 2-chloroindole-3-carbaldehydes by styrenes via photodechlorination-initiated coupling of 2-chloroindole-3-carbaldehydes with styrenes, electrocyclic reactions and deformylative aromatization in the presence of pyridine.