Indolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline alkaloids and related compounds have been known to have interesting biological activities, such as antileukemic and antitumor activities. We found that 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)indole gave 2,3-dimethoxyindolo [2,1-a]isoquinoline and 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetyl)indole gave 2,3-dimethoxy-6-oxoindolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline, respectively, by an intramolecular cyclization carried out in boiling trifluoroacetic acid.