A novel procedure for hydride-induced anionic cyclization has been developed. It includes the reduction of a biaryl bromo-nitrile with a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr). A range of polysubstituted 6-H-phenanthridines were so obtained in moderate to good yield with good substrate tolerance. This method involves a concise transition-metal-free process and was applied to synthesize natural alkaloids.
