novel cyclopenta-fused quinoxaline through addition of 2-cyanoprop-2-yl radical to the alkyne; the resulting vinyl radical attacks isonitrile to afford an imidoyl radical, which gives rise to a tandem 5-exo, 6-endo cyclisation. The whole process entails a new example of a rare 4 + 1 radical annulation. The cyanopropyl radical can also attack isonitrile to yield small amounts of quinolines deriving
oxidant-free direct cyanoalkylarylation of isocyanides with AIBN has been developed under mild conditions. This strategy provides an elusive and rapid access to a wide range of cyano-containing phenanthridinederivatives in good yields via a one-pot alkylation/cyclization radical-cascade process. The mild reaction conditions together with no need of any catalyst, base, or oxidant make this protocol environmentally