Synthesis of Phenanthridines through Iodine-Supported Intramolecular C-H Amination and Oxidation under Visible Light.

Herein, we report a metal-free and step-economic synthesis of phenanthridines from 2-biarylmethanamines under mild conditions. The reaction involves iodine-supported intramolecular C-H amination and oxidation of 5,6-dihydrophenanthridine under air and benign visible light. The mechanism study reveals that visible light plays a key role in both these steps.