Novel Synthesis of a New Class of Strongly FluorescentPhenanthridine Analogues

A novel synthesis of strongly fluorescent phenanthridine and phenanthrene analogues as a possible new class of laser dyes utilizing the reactions of tetralin-1-ylidenecyanothioacetamide or tetralin-1-ylidenemalononitrile with β-(2-furyl)- and β-(2-thienyl)-acrylonitriles is reported.