2-Substituted 1-tosyl-3,4,4-trimethylimidazolidines prepared by the addition of anions to 1-tosyl-3,4,4-trimethyl-2-imidazolinium iodide 1, react with tryptamine in the presence of acetic acid to give 1-substituted β-carboline derivatives. The salt 1 reacts with anions of 2-[2-(1,3-dithianyl)]benzoates 4a-c to give the corresponding imidazolidines 5a, 5b and 5c, respectively. These transfer the substituted