Abstract
A route to the uncommon imidazo[1,2-α]indole nucleus 1 is described via functionalisation and annelation of readily accessible 2-amino-indole-3-carboxylates 5. Intramolecular cyclization of a key 2-indolylformamidate 6 was utilised for the preparation of the 3,9-diester intermediates 7.