A NEW SYNTHETIC APPROACH TO THE BENZO[c]PHENANTHRIDINE SYSTEM: INTERNUCLEAR CYCLIZATION ONTO A PYRIDINE RING

Abstract
Benzo[c]phenanthridine has been synthesized in low overall yield by the Pschorr cyclization of trans-α-(4-isoquinolyl)-o-aminocinnamic acid. The condensation of 4-isoquinolylacetonitrile with o-nitrobenzaldehyde gave the cis-cinnamonitrile. The preparation of a number of intermediates is described.