New domino reaction for the selective synthesis of tetracyclic cinnolino[5,4,3-cde]cinnolines.

A new domino reaction for the highly selective synthesis of tetracyclic cinnolino[5,4,3-cde]cinnolines using steric control was described. In this reaction, the use of anthenes with aliphatic groups (R(1)) leads to cinnolino[5,4,3-cde]cinnolines whereas anthenes with aryl groups (R(1)) result in N-amino-1,8-dioxoacridines.