Abstract Reaction of a series of N-alkyl-and N, N-dialkylbromoacetamides 1a-1e with phenanthridine afforded quaternary phenanthridinium salts 2a-2e. These compounds treated with triethylamine form azomethine ylides which undergo a cycloaddition reaction with activated C= C bond, giving 3-(N-alkylcarbamoyl)-1, 2, 3, 12b-tetrahydropyrrolo [1, 2-f] phenanthridines 3a-3e, 4c, 5c, 6c or 3-(N-alkylcarbamoyl)-2, 3-dihydropyrrolo [1, 2-f] ...