Synthesis of phenanthro[2,3‐h]isoquinoline and phenanthro[3,2‐h]isoquinoline

Abstract The suspected environmental contaminants phenanthro[2,3‐h]isoquinoline 12 and phenanthro[3,2‐h]isoquinoline 11 were synthesized in four steps from a common intermediate 1,4‐phenanthroquinone 3, using a Diels‐Alder reaction.