A regioselective synthesis of carbazole analogs belonging to both the categories of natural origin, viz., microorganisms and higher plant source is reported. The synthesis of carbazole derivatives possessing a methylester group at C-1 position has been achieved by Cadogan cyclization of nitro bi-phenyl derivatives, whereas, the carbazole analog possessing a methylester group at C-3 position was synthesized by Buchwald–Hartwig Pd-catalyzed cyclization of amino bi-phenyl derivatives. Suitably substituted bi-phenyl precursors were accessed from norbornyl α-diketones via Grob fragmentation, O-methylation and DBU aromatization reaction sequence. The reported carbazole derivatives possess structural features that are common with many carbazole natural products: mukonine, clausine-L, murrayafoline-A, and their sibling natural products. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd