Pd-catalyzed dehydrogenative annulation approach for the efficient synthesis of phenanthridinones.

A novel Pd-catalyzed intermolecular dehydrogenative annulation of aryl iodides and aryl carbamic chlorides for the efficient synthesis of phenanthridinone derivatives was developed. Simple aryl iodides and carbamic chlorides readily made from various anilines, a broad substrate scope with hetero/polycycles, as well as high-value products, make this direct dehydrogenative annulation approach very practical and attractive.