Total syntheses of naturally occurring 4, 8-dioxygenated β-carboline alkaloids 2a, 2d, 2g, and 2h are described. The synthetic route involves two methodologies that we developed;(i) an improved Fischer indolization for the synthesis of a 7-oxygenated indole using a tosyl group for protection of the phenolic group,(ii) construction of a 4-methoxy-β-carboline skeleton by the C-3-selective cyclization of the C-2-substituent of the indole nucleus. The ...