A new synthesis of beta- and gamma-carbolinone derivatives was achieved by an intramolecular Heck cyclisation from the corresponding 3-iodo-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid allyl-amides 8 and 2-iodo-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid allyl-amides 9. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.