Iodobenzene-Catalyzed Synthesis of Phenanthridinones via Oxidative C-H Amidation.

We report a novel synthesis of phenanthridinones from N-methoxybenzamides using an oxidative C-H amidation reaction at room temperature in open air with modest to excellent yields. This method demonstrated unprecedented substrate scope. In particular, it solved the long-standing challenge in the synthesis of phenanthridinones with sterically demanding substitutions.