Condensation of methyl indole-4-carboxylate (I) with 2-nitroethyl acetate (II) produced the 3-nitroethyl indole (III). After reduction of the nitro group to amine (IV) using Zn and HCl, cyclization under basic conditions gave rise to lactam (V). Electrophilic bromination of (V) employing pyridinium tribromide furnished (VI). Finally, Suzuki coupling of bromide (VI) with 4-fluorobenzeneboronic acid (VII) yielded the title compound.