A few 6H-pyrido [4, 3-b] carbazoles were prepared for cytotoxicity testing in cultures of human lung cancer cells. Methyl 6-methoxyindoleacetate 13, prepared by reduction of methyl 4-(2-nitro-5-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxobutyrate 11, was condensed with 3-acetylpyridine to give the vinyl indole 14 which was quarternized with p-nitrobenzyl bromide. Cyclization of this salt with the aid of sodium methoxide and ethyl nicotinate methiodide gave the 6H- ...
