N-Aryl-2-nitrosoanilines, available from the reaction of nitroarenes with anilide anions, undergo cyclization to furnish substituted phenazines. The reaction is promoted by potassium carbonate in methanol, N, O-bis (trimethylsilyl) acetamide (BSA) in aprotic solvents, and by acetic acid. The method is illustrated by the synthesis of 1- methoxyphenazine, a precursor of pyocyanine, starting from the appropriate nitroarene– ...