To a solution of 3-bromo-5H,6H,12H,13H-indeno[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole-7(7H)one (Compound I-9) (100 mg, 0.26 mmol), cyanoacrylate (0.43 ml, 0.51 mmol) and triethylamine (0.5 mL) in DMF (3 mL) was added tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (20 mg). The solution was heated in a sealed reaction tube at 100°-110° C. for 48 h. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, filtered through a pad of Celite®, and the solvent was concentrated at reduced pressure. The product was triturated with MeOH to give 90 mg (97%) of a tan solid. Recrystallization from DMF-Et2O gave Compound I-35 as a tan solid, mp>330° C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz): d 4.2 (s, 2H), 5.0 (s, 2H), 7.3-7.5 (m, 3H), 7.6-7.95 (m,4H), 8.35 (s, 1H), 8.65 (s, 1H), 9.4 (d, 1H, J=9 Hz), 12.25 (s, 1H); IR: 2220 cm-1 ; MS m/e=362 (m+1)+.
