Highly regioselective synthesis of dicyano-8a,10,11-trihydropyrrolo[1,2-a][1,10]phenanthrolines via a domino-Knoevenagel-cyclization

1,10-Phenanthrolinium N-ylides, can react with malonitrile and aromatic aldehydes via a domino-Knoevenagel cyclization to afford a new class of trihydropyrrolo[1,2-a][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives as stable helical compounds in a simple, mild, and efficient protocol in excellent yields.