In the course of the search for non-camptothecin topoisomerase I inhibitors we have undertaken the synthesis of N-substituted benzo [c][1, 7]-and benzo [c][1, 8] phenanthrolinone derivatives. An intermolecular Suzuki–Miyaura heteroaryl-aryl coupling reaction was planned as the key step. Then a nitro reduction followed by a concomitant lactamization achieved the construction of the tetracycle structures. This methodology ...
