A general protocol for the synthesis of 2-heteroaryl-5-methoxyindoles has been developed utilizing a microwave-induced solid-supported Fischer indolization under controlled conditions This route uses 2-acetylpyridine as a model and 3-acetyl derivatives of cycloalkeno[c]fused pyridines as the synthetic building blocks towards new 9-methoxyindolo[2,3-a]quinolizine alkaloids. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.