Rh(III)‐Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation of 2‐Aryl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazoles with 1,4‐Quinones through C−H Activation

Abstract Rh(III) catalyzed oxidative annulation of 2‐aryl‐1 H‐ benzo[ d ]imidazoles with 1,4‐quinones has been achieved for the synthesis of a novel class of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐ f ]phenanthridine‐1,4‐dione frameworks through a sequential C−C and C−N bond formations in a single‐step operation. This is the first report on the oxidative annulation of 2‐aryl‐1 H‐ benzo[ d ]imidazoles with 1,4‐quinones to produce highly functionalized phenanthridine‐1,4‐dione derivatives.