Simple and efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of new N-biphenyl cinnamamides/3-arylpropanamides and C6-substituted phenanthridines

Abstract

We hereby report an efficient method for the preparation of a series of new N-biphenyl-cinnamamides/3-arylpropanamides through a three–step, clean, good–yielding, environment–friendly microwave-assisted procedure for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling/basic hydrolysis/N-amidation from 2-bromoacetanilides and arylboronic acids as available starting reagents. The N-biphenyl-3-arylpropanamides obtained were converted into new 6-phenethylphenanthridine derivatives carrying out a subsequent cyclization reaction by means of a Pictet–Hubert microwave–assisted process. The structures of the compounds were fully characterized by FT-IR, 1H, and 13C NMR and are reported for the first time.