Study of the Lithiation of 3‐Substituted α‐Carbolines. A New Route to 3,4‐Disubstituted Derivatives.

Abstract The synthesis of new 3-substituted α-carbolines is described and these products were subjected to ortho-lithiation experiments. 3-pivalamido and 3-carboxamido derivatives are cleanly lithiated at 4-position. The results are correlated with MNDO calculations. Various 3,4-disubstituted α-carbolines are obtained in excellent yields.