efficient method for the synthesis of N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl (reverse prenyl) indole was developed by the N-propargylation of the indoline, partial hydrogenation of the terminal alkyne, and oxidation to the indole using chemical manganesedioxide (CMD). This method was used for the synthesis of the antifungal indole alkaloids 2, 3, and N-reverse prenylated tryptophan.