A new series of N-vinylcarbazole with various acceptor groups has been synthesized starting from 3-formyl-N-vinylcarbazole by the Knoevenagel condensation. The key starting compound, 3-formyl-N-vinylcarbazole, was prepared from 3-formyl-N-(2-chloroethyl)carbazole by 1,2-elimination reaction. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.