Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Sequential C–H/N–H Alkene Annulation Cascade of Phenanthroimidazoles: Synthesis and Photophysical Studies

We report ruthenium(II)-catalyzed sequential C–H/N–H alkenylation cascade of phenanthroimidazole and alkenes to form novel phenanthroimidazoisoindol acrylates via dual C–H activation and aza-Michael reaction. The two nitrogen atoms of the imidazole ring act as directing groups for regioselective dual sequential ortho C–H activation. These polycyclic N-heterocycles were evaluated for their photophysical properties.