A novel Fischer pseudo-benzylic decarboxylation approach to the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-cyclopenta[ b ]indol-3-yl system

A novel Fischer pseudo-benzylic decarboxylation approach to the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indol-3-yl system was developed starting from geminally substituted cyclopentanone derivatives and appropriately substituted phenyl hydrazines. In addition, we demonstrate that substituents at the 3- and 7-positions can, for example, be useful synthetic handles for further functionalization.