A new route to the synthesis of ellipticine quinone from isatin

1-(2-Oxo-2-(pyridin-4-yl)ethyl)indoline-2,3-dione can be prepared and converted by treatment with sodium hydroxide into 2-isonicotinoyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid as a key intermediate which can be transformed into ellipticine quinone in a two step sequence.