Oxidative radical cascade cyclization involving C(sp 3 )–C(sp 3 ), C(sp 3 )–C(sp 2 ) and C(sp 2 )–N bonds formation: direct construction of cyano and methyl substituted polyheterocycles

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.