Bromination of N-phthaloyl tryptamine (I) with pyridinium tribromide provided the 2-bromo indole (II). Suzuki coupling of bromide (II) with phenylboronic acid (III) gave the 2-phenyl indole (IV). The phthaloyl group of (IV) was then removed by treatment with dimethylamine to furnish 2-phenyltryptamine (V). Then condensation of amine (V) with 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid (VI) using EDC and HOBt yielded the corresponding amide.