A cascade alkylarylation reaction of 2-isocyanobiphenyls with simple alkanes for 6-alkyl phenanthridines via dual C(sp3)-H/C(sp2)-H functionalizations.

A cascade alkylarylation reaction of 2-isocyanobiphenyls with simple alkanes for 6-alkyl phenanthridines has been developed through dual C(sp(3))-H/C(sp(2))-H functionalizations. The synthetic method has the advantages of high yields, good compatibility of functional groups and mild reaction conditions, although very unreactive alkanes were involved in the reaction. A plausible mechanism through both copper-catalyzed and DTBP mediated pathways has also been proposed.