Novel indolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivatives and a chromogenic-sensing 5,12-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazole have been synthesized starting from tetra-tert-butylated 6,12-diaryl-5,11-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazoles, which were prepared via an efficient tert-butylation of 6,12-diaryl-5,11-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazoles.