Abstract: 1,2,8,8a-Tetrahydrocyclopropa[3]pyrrolo(3,2-e)indol-4(5H)-ones, and related compounds of formulas I and intermediate therefor II ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2, R.sub.2 ', R.sub.3, R.sub.5, R.sub.50 and X are as defined in the specification, e.g., (7bR,8aS)-1,2,8,8a-tetrahydro-7-methyl-2-[[5-(((1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl)ami no)-1H-indol-2-yl]carbonyl]cyclopropa[pyrrolo[3,2-e]indol-4(5H)-one (U-71,184), as purified, and its racemic form (U-68,415), and related compounds, are useful as ultraviolet light absorbers and as antibacterials. The lead compounds are useful as antitumor drug compounds in standard laboratory animal tests.