3-Substituted pyrano [2, 3-a] carbazol-2 (11H)-ones have been synthesised by the reaction of 1-hydroxy-carbazole-2-carbaldehyde with malononitrile, ethyl cyanoacetate, Meldrum's acid,(carbethoxymethylene) triphenylphosphorane, ethyl benzoylacetate and phenylacetonitrile.