A straightforward and efficient synthesis of the two less explored types of indolocarbazoles has been
developed. Two different processes for the carbazole nucleus preparation, a gold-catalysed regioselective
cyclization followed by the dioxomolybdenum-catalysed version of Cadogan reductive cyclization,
enables the sequential construction of two carbazole cores. The procedure features total regioselectivity
and high overall yields. The required starting α-indol-3-ylalkyl propargylic alcohols are easily and efficiently
accessed from commercially available reagents. In addition, the photoluminescent properties of two
indolo[2,3-c]carbazoles, with fluorescence quantum yields around 0.7, have been studied.
