This paper describes a new strategy for the synthesis of 1-trifluoromethyl-9H-pyrido [3,4-b]indole 2 by one-pot reaction of tryptophan methyl ester hydrochloride 1 and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) in the presence of POCI3 with satisfactory yield. Additionally, the structure of 2b was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.