Simple Synthetic Method for the Functionalized Benzo[c]cinnolines

Functionalized benzo[c]cinnoline derivatives were synthesized from easily accessible 2,2-diamino-1,1′-biaryls using a nitrite source. In this simple process, various functional groups were tolerated under mild reaction conditions, and the practicality of the process was demonstrated through the gram-scale production of the benzo[c]cinnolines.