A new entry to phenanthridine ring systems via sequential application of Suzuki and the modified Pictet-Spengler reactions.

A mild, efficient and versatile method has been developed for the two step synthesis of phenanthridine ring systems using the Suzuki and the modified Pictet-Spengler strategy. The strategy involves synthesis of a substrate in which an aryl amine is tethered to an activated arene ring at the carbon ortho to the activated carbon nucleophile so as to facilitate the formation of phenanthridine ring via pi-cyclization.