Quino[1,2-c]quinazolines. I. Synthesis of quino[1,2-c]quinazolinium derivatives and the related indazolo[2,3-a]quinoline derivatives as analogs of the antitumor benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids

9,10-Dimethoxy-1,2,3,4,12,13-hexahydro-1-oxoquino[1,2-c]quinazolinium perchlorate, 1,2,3,4,13,24-hexahydro-1-oxo[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]quino[1,2-c]quinazolinium perchlorate, 6-methyl-2,3,9,10-tetramethoxyquino-[1,2-c]quinazolinium perchlorate and 2,3-dimethoxy-13-methyl[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:6,7]quino[1,2-c]quinazolinium perchlorate were synthesized as analogs of the potent antitumor benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids nitidine and fagaronine. The related 2,3,8,9-tetramethoxyindazolo[2,3-a]quinoline and 2,3-dimethoxy[1,3]dioxolo-[4,5-g]indazolo[2,3-a]quinoline were also synthesized. Further, the novel formation of 6,7-dimethoxy-2-(2-ethylamino-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl)quinoline via reductive alkylation with Raney nickel in refluxing ethanol is also reported.