Abstract: The compounds (I) are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of hexahydroareno(e)cyclopropa(c)indol-4-ones with antitumoral activity.

Abstract: The areno[e]indols have the formula (I). The methods comprises: (a) reacting (VI) with an aldehyde Ar"--CHO to obtain (VII); (b) oxidizing (VII) to yield the cetone (VIII); (c) reating (VIII) with a strong base and thereafter with an acycle chloride ClCOR, to produce (IX); (d) subjecting to a photochemical cyclization (IX) to produce (I). In said formulas Ar is phenyl or substituted phenyl; Ar' is radical (i) or (ii); R is an acyle group, Ar" is a phenyl, pyrolyl, furanyl or thiophenyl group substituted up to three times by any of the radials R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, or R.sup.3. The compounds (I) are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of hexahydroareno(e)cyclopropa(c)indol-4-ones with antitumoral activity.