I wrote to some in DM. If there are problems with the synthesis, we can make two separate stages to get an intermediate product and be sure of it. We can make the stage of alkylation or acylation separately, extract the product and understand by visual qualities. It is easier to make a stage of alkylation. We have indole and pentane with a carbonate. After irradiation and washing with water in the remainder, green oil should be obtained, no solid components. This will be an indicator that the reaction was successful.
For the stage of acylation, we use indole and chloride. But after irradiation, we need to separate the product from oxide. We need to use an excess of ethanol for this, but you can take another solvent that does not require distillation. Dimethylformamide, DMSO, tetrahydrofuran. Separate the insoluble sediment and add water to these solvents to get a powder in the rest. It is better to pour the solution into water, and not vice versa. According to the visual qualities of the product received, we can approximately understand whether the acylation reaction is successful. With any of these intermediate products, we can synthesize the second step.