Synthetic studies of benzo[b]pyrrolo[4,3,2-de][1,10]phenanthroline

6,11-Dihydrobenzo[b]pyrrolo[4,3,2-de][1,10]phenanthroline-5,8-dione (), which possesses a unique heterocyclic ring system similar to that in plakinidines A–D (), was synthesized from 2-acetyl-3′-nitrodiphenylamine () in nine steps.