Abstract
A novel series of 9,10-dihydro-3H-10a-azaphenanthrene-2,4-dicarbonitrile derivatives that contain a bridgehead nitrogen were prepared by a three-component reaction of aldehydes, 2-(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)acetonitrile, and 3-aminocrotononitrile in acetic acid.