Abstract: 3-Substituted beta-carbolines of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.A is H, F, Cl, Br, I, NO.sub.2, CN, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3, SCH.sub.3, NR.sup.16 R.sup.17 or NHCOR.sup.16,wherein R.sup.16 and R.sup.17 are the same or different and each is hydrogen or alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl each of up to 6 C-atoms, aralkyl or cycloalkyl each of up to 10 C-atoms,or wherein R.sup.16 and R.sup.17 together form a saturated or unsaturated 3-7 membered heterocyclic ring;said compounds possess valuable psychotropic properties which make them useful for example as tranquilizers.

Abstract: 3-substituted beta-carbolines of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.C is hydrogen, lower alkyl, alkoxyalkyl of up to 6 C-atoms, cycloalkyl of 3-6 C-atoms, aralkyl of up to 8 C-atoms, or (CH.sub.2).sub.n OR.sup.20wherein R.sup.20 is alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms, cycloalkyl of 3-6 C-atoms or aralkyl of up to 8 C-atoms and n is an integer of 1 to 3;Y is oxygen, two hydrogen atoms or NOR.sup.1,wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl or aralkyl of up to 6 C-atoms, COR.sup.2, wherein R.sup.2 is lower alkyl of up to 6 C-atoms,or Y is CHCOOR.sup.3, wherein R.sup.3 is hydrogen or lower alkylor Y is NNR.sup.4 R.sup.5,wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 can be the same or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl, C.sub.6-10 -aryl, C.sub.7-10 -aralkyl or CONR.sup.6 R.sup.7,wherein R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 can be the same or different and each is hydrogen or lower alkyl or R.sup.4 and R.sup.