New and more versatile synthetic routes to benzo[c]phenanthridine are in high demand,1–7 because of their potent anti-tumor activity.8–17 Among benzo[c]phenanthridine, nitidine (1a) and 7-hydroxy-8-methoxy-5-methyl-2,3-methylenedioxy benzo[c]phenanthridine hydrogen sulfate (NK109) (1e) are the most promising compounds, exhibiting significant anti-tumor activity against drug-resistant human tumor cell lines.18–21 Nitidine (1e) is a potent inhibitor of topoisomerase II.21