A new approach for the synthesis of (±)-trans-10,11-dihydroxy-5,6,6a,7,8,12b-hexahydrobenzo[a]phenanthrid ine (dihydrexidine)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)01574-2

A novel method is reported for the synthesis of (±)-trans-10,11-dihydroxy-5,6,6a,7,8,12b-hexahydrobenzo[a]phenanthrid ine (dihydrexidine, 6b) employing as a key step the cyclization of the acid chloride of 3b, via decarbonylation, to the hexahydrobenzo[a]phenanthridine 4b.