Oxidative radical cascade cyclization involving C(sp3)–C(sp3), C(sp3)–C(sp2) and C(sp2)–N bonds formation: direct construction of cyano and methyl substituted polyheterocycles

Abstract

An oxidative radical cascade cyclization of 2-cyano-3-arylaniline derived acrylamides with acetonitrile has been developed. The reaction provides a straightforward and practical access to cyano substituted pyrido[4,3,2-gh]phenanthridines, and exhibits a good functional group tolerance. Furthermore, such methyl substituted polyheterocycles were also obtained through a similar radical cascade.