[reaction: see text] 2-Indolylacyl radicals generated from the corresponding selenoesters under hexabutylditin-hnu conditions undergo regioselective intramolecular reaction with unprotonated pyridines to give polycyclic indolylpyridyl ketones. For substrates bearing a (3-pyridyl)methyl moiety connected to the 3-position of the indole ring, the cyclization provides easy access to ellipticine quinones.