A mild, efficient and environmentally benign method for synthesis of aromatic β-carbolines via Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THβCs) was developed, in which air (O2) was used as the clean oxidant. This method has advantages such as environmentally friendliness, mildness, very good tolerance of functional groups, high yielding and easy experiment operation. In addition, this new methodology was successfully applied in the efficient and practical total syntheses of β-carboline alkaloids perlolyrine and flazin.
