Parallel synthesis and spectroscopic analysis of a collection of heterocycles based on the diazabenz[e]aceanthrylene core structure

A practical strategy for the synthesis of diazabenz[e]aceanthrylene-based heterocycles is reported. The key step in this approach is a microwave-assisted condensation and cyclisation reaction between an anthranilic acid derivative and a 2′-carbomethoxy substituted N-aryl lactam. The scope of the reaction has been explored as a function of both the nature and position of substituents in both components and variations in lactam ring size. Interesting structural and spectroscopic variations observed across the compound collection are described and explored using NMR, X-ray crystallography and computational techniques.