Acyloxy-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated imines generated in situ from triazoles can act as aza-[4 C] synthons and be trapped by indoles in a stepwise [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, thus providing rapid access to valuable pyrido[2,3-b]indoles in high yields. Attractive features of this reaction system include operational simplicity, readily available substrates, construction of sterically demanding quaternary centers, and convenient derivatization using triflate.