A straightforward synthesis of β-carbolinones by the Bischler– Napieralski-type cyclization of the corresponding trichloromethyl carbamates, which does not require acids, bases, oxidants, or transition-metals to promote the cyclization, has been achieved. INTRODUCTION β-Carbolinone alkaloids are a diverse group of biologically active indole alkaloids, e.g., rhetsinine, strychnocarpine, bauerine C,