Methylation of 6-methyl-10H-quindoline-4-carboxylic acid (I) with iodomethane in the presence of KOH in DMSO takes place at both the indole N and the carboxylate group, producing (II). Subsequent aminolysis of ester (II) with N,N-dimethylethanediamine (III) in refluxing dioxan furnishes the target amide.