Abstract Application of a Ugi multicomponent reaction to oxo acids 4 allows the formation of potentially antimitotic indolobenzazepinones of type 5 in good yields of up to 72%, whereas the same transformation from the starting substrate 6 gives access to analogues of paullone with yields of up to 89%. The reaction could be applied to a wide range of isocyanides, thereby ensuring introduction of molecular diversity at the key C-5 position. Use of ...
