Rapid access to α-carbolines via a one-pot tandem reaction of α,β-unsaturated ketones with 2-nitrophenylacetonitrile and the anti-proliferative activities of the products.

An effective and convenient method has been developed for the preparation of 2 or 2,4-substituted α-carbolines via a one-pot tandem reaction of α,β-unsaturated ketones with 2-nitrophenylacetonitrile in the presence of zinc dust, acetic acid and triethylamine. This protocol presents a simple, rapid and pot/step economical strategy for preparing biologically interesting α-carbolines with moderate anti-tumor activities.