A series of A/D-ring substituted dibenzo [de, g] quinolin-7-ones was produced from the corresponding isoquinolinones and (2-bromophenyl) acetonitriles in four steps. This represents a convenient approach toward the synthesis of tetracyclic alkaloids. A direct conversion of 1-(2-bromobenzoyl) isoquinolines to dibenzo [de, g] quinolin-7-ones is the key step in the total synthesis. The yield of the reductive photocyclization depends on the ...