A route to the uncommon imidazo[1,2-a]indole nucleus 1 is described vi
a functionalisation and annelation of readily accessible 2-amino-indol
e-3-carboxylates 5. Intramolecular cyclization of a key 2-indolylforma
midate 6 was utilised for the preparation of the 3,9-diester intermedi
ates 7.