Thermal decomposition reactions of n‐alkylated 2‐aminobiphenyls to carbazole and phenanthridine

Abstract magnified image Thermal cyclization reactions were examined by passing vapors of N ‐alkylated 2‐aminobiphenyls 1a‐c and 2 over calcium oxide at 450‐600°C under nitrogen carrier gas. The reactions yielded 9‐methylcarbazole 3 , carbazole 4 , phenanthridine 5 and phenanthrene 6. The major product for the reactions of 1a, 1b and 2 was phenanthridine 5 while that of 1c was carbazole 4.