Synthesis of 5,6-Dimethylbenz[a]phenazine

5,6-Dimethylbenz[a]phenazine ( 4 ), an aza analogue of the carcinogenic 5,6-dimethylbenz-[c]acridine has been obtained by a 1,1-dehydration-rearrangement (Wagner-Meerwin type) from 5,5-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrobenz[a]phenazine ( 3 ). The alcohol 3 was obtained from the hydrogenation of the corresponding ketone 2 which was prepared in two ways: Method A, the oxidation of 5,5-dimethyl-5,6-dihydrobenz[a]phenazine ( 1 ); Method B, the hydrolysis of the 6,6-dibromo derivative 5 of 1.