The cyclization of anthracenedione derivative (I) with formamide in refluxing dimethylacetamide (DMA) in the presence of NH4VO3 affords benzo[e]perimidinone derivative (II), whose benzyl groups are removed with TFA to yield (III). Intermediate (III) is finally heated with 2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine (IV) in N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine and a small amount of water. Alternatively, the target product can be obtained as follows: Reduction of the nitro group of anthracenedione derivative (V) by means of hydrazine and Pd/C provides amine (VI), which is then cyclized with formamide in phenol to give (VII). The removal of the benzyl groups of (VII) by treatment with TFA yields intermediate (VIII), which is finally condensed with 2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine (IV) under similar conditions as described for (III).

The cyclization of anthracenedione derivative (I) with formamide in refluxing dimethylacetamide (DMA) in the presence of NH4VO3 affords benzo[e]perimidinone derivative (II), whose benzyl groups are removed with TFA to yield (III). Intermediate (III) is finally heated with 2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine (IV) in N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine and a small amount of water. Alternatively, the target product can be obtained as follows: Reduction of the nitro group of anthracenedione derivative (V) by means of hydrazine and Pd/C provides amine (VI), which is then cyclized with formamide in phenol to give (VII). The removal of the benzyl groups of (VII) by treatment with TFA yields intermediate (VIII), which is finally condensed with 2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine (IV) under similar conditions as described for (III).