PPh(3)/NaI driven photocatalytic decarboxylative radical cascade alkylarylation reaction of 2-isocyanobiaryls

The first triphenylphosphine/sodium iodide driven photocatalytic decarboxylative cascade cyclization of 2-isocyano-biaryls with alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHP) esters was developed. This operationally simple protocol results in multiple carbon–carbon bond formation under transition metal free conditions, affording a novel and environmentally benign entry to producing 6-alkyl phenanthridines with moderate to good yields.