The Action of Vanadium Oxytrifluoride on N-Arylbenzylamines—a Route to Some Phenanthridines

Abstract

The action of four equivalents of vanadium oxytrifluoride upon electron-rich N-arylbenzylamines provides a convenient synthesis of phenanthridines. Excess of oxidant can lead to selective hydroxylation of a methyl substituent. Benzylamines with a phosphonate substituent on the methylene group lead to 6-substituted phenanthridines.