1(3)-Formyl-Beta-Carbolines: Potential Aldo-X Precursors For The Synthesis Of Beta-Carboline-Based Molecular Architectures

beta-Carboline, a privileged scaffold in the alkaloid family, has a broad spectrum of medicinal properties and is found in several commercial drugs, such as tadalafil, cipargamin, and abecarnil. Owing to the immense pharmacological importance of beta-carboline derivatives, their synthesis has been one of the frontier areas of research in recent years. In this context, 1(3)-formyl-9H-beta-carbolines are promising "aldo-X" bifunctional building blocks (AXB3s) that offer alternate avenues for the diversity-oriented synthesis of beta-carboline derivatives. This Focus Review is an assimilation of recent literature (2011-2017) pertaining to the synthesis and applications of 1(3)-formyl-beta-carbolines for the construction of beta-carboline-tethered and -fused molecular architectures. In addition, the medicinal potential of beta-carboline derivatives has been highlighted.