peri-Selective C–H activation-initiated spiroannulation leading to spiropolycyclic compounds with unique photophysical properties and strong anticancer activity

Abstract

Presented herein is a peri-selective C–H activation-initiated spiroannulation leading to an effective and concise construction of spirocyclic skeletons. With this reaction, benzo[de]isoquinoline spiroisoquinolinone and benzo[de]isoquinoline spironaphthalenone derivatives, otherwise difficult to obtain, were prepared with broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility. In addition, the products thus obtained showed unique photophysical properties and strong anticancer activity, indicating their potential to be developed as anticancer lead compounds with self-tracking capability via fluorescence detection.