The Pd(OAc)2-inducedcarbonylation of alkoxy-substituted 1-amino-2-phenyltetralins and 1-amino-2-phenylnaphthalenes was examined to provide the benzo[c]phenanthridine ring system. The carbonylation of substrates containing methylenedioxy groups gave oxysanguinarine and oxyavicine. The tetramethoxy derivatives gave O-methyloxyfagaronine. The substrate with a benzyloxy group afforded a known synthetic