The crystal of the title compound, C(20)H(17)NO(4), which was used for collecting intensity data was twinned. Each of the two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit has a planar indole moiety perpendicular to a planar oxopropyl moiety. The distribution of the bonds at the central C atom joining the oxopropyl, phenyl and indole substituents is also planar. The packing is stabilized by intermolecular C-H* * *O interactions, as well as by dipole-dipole and van der Waals interactions.
* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.