New 1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12a-octahydro-2-phenylpyrazino[2',1':6,1]pyrido[3,4-b]i ndoles having useful psychomotor stimulant properties are prepared by thermal cyclization of a 2-( alpha -halo-lower-alkanoy)-3-carbo-lower-alkoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9H-pyrido [3,4-b]indole with an aniline derivative, and alkali metal aluminum hydride reduction of the resulting 1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12a-octahydro-1,4-dioxo-2-phenylpyrazino-[2',1':6,1]pyr ido[3,4-b]indole.
1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12A-OCTAHYDRO-2-PHENYLPYRAZINO[2',1':6,1]PYRIDO[3,4-b]INDOLES AND INTERMEDIATES THEREFOR