Efficient synthesis of furo [3, 4-b] indoles starting from the corresponding indole is reported. The first route involves derivatization, protection, and deprotection steps, which stretch the syntheses. The second method provides a shorter and more efficient strategy to accessing the furoindole. The innovation starts with alkylation at C-2 of the indole presenting at the C-3 position a ketone-acetal, followed by the cycloaromatization catalyzed by polymeric ion- ...