A new approach to the synthesis of 2-oxo- and 2-amino- 3-cyano-(carbam
oyl or ethoxycarbonyl)pyrido[2,3-b]indole (alpha-carboline) derivative
s based on the cyclization of amino-(alkoxy)-3-(beta-cyano-beta-ethoxy
carbonyl)- or 3-(beta-cyano-beta-carbamoyl)vinylindole derivatives und
er different conditions has been developed.