A new synthesis of the 1-oxygenated 1,3-disubstituted carbazole alkaloids, mukonine (la) and clausine (If) is described. The construction of the carbazole framework is based on an allene-mediated electrocyclic reaction involving the indole 2,3-bond. The 1,3-disubstituted 1-oxygenated carbazoles la and If are derived from the 1,2,3-trisubstituted carbazole.