Isocyanide Insertion: De Novo Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Phenanthridine Derivatives

A mechanistically new strategy has been described for the simple, practical, and environmentally friendly preparation of 6-(trifluoromethyl)phenanthridine derivatives using ionic isocyanide insertion from biphenyl isocyanide derivatives and Umemoto's reagent. These reactions were promoted only by inorganic base in good-to-excellent chemical yields without any external stoichiometric oxidants and radical initiators.