The first total syntheses of dichotomide I (1), and marinacarbolines A-D (3-6) were achieved in four steps from methyl 1-chloro-beta-carboline-3-carboxlyate (9), which was previously used as a synthetic intermediate of dichotomine C. The required compound 9 was prepared in a six-step sequence including a microwave-assisted thermal electrocyclic reaction of a 1-azahexatriene system.