4-Methoxyaniline (I) is reacted with 2'-bromo-4-methoxypropiophenone (II) to afford the indole (III). The ethyl group is introduced by deprotonation with sodium hydride in DMF followed by addition of ethyl bromide. The ether cleavage of (IV) with BBr3 yields the hydroxy derivative (V), which is converted to the acetate by using acetic acid an hydride in pyridine.