Abstract: A process for the production of 7-acylindoles of the general formula: ##STR1## starting from indoline of the formula: ##STR2## Indoline is cyanized in a first stage to 7-cyanoindoline of the formula: ##STR3## The latter is catalytically dehydrogenated in a second stage to 7-cyanindole of the formula: ##STR4## The latter is then acylated in a third stage with an organometallic compound of the formula:R--Q Vinto the end product according to formula I.