Synthesis of flavopereirine 1, formal synthesis of isogeissoschizines 8 and dihydrocorynantheols 9 through the intermediacy of 3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6,7-dihydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizine 3 and also the unexpected formation of the beta-carbolines 12 and 13 on Huang-Minlon reaction of 2 are described.