Synthetic approaches to activated pyrrolo[3,2,1-hi]indoles: synthesis of 6,8-dimethoxy pyrrolo[3,2,1-hi]indole

6,8-Dimethoxypyrrolo[3,2,1-hi]indole 25 has been formed by the dehydrogenation of the related tetrahydro compound 23, which in turn was formed by reduction of the related isatin 22. Approaches to achieve the cyclisation of N-hydroxyethylindoles, N-dimethylacetamidoindoles, and C7-substituted chloroacetylindoles were unsuccessful.