A straightforward synthesis of indazolo[3,2-a]isoquinolin-6-amines

4-Substituted 1-bromoisoquinolin-3-amines were subjected to Suzuki coupling with o-nitrophenylboronic acid to yield 1-(2-nitrophenyl) isoquinolinamines, which participated in Cadogan cyclization with triethyl phosphite under microwave irradiation in a sealed vial to yield fluorescent indazolo[3,2-a] isoquinolin-6-amines. The new compounds were also functionalized by transformation of the amino group. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved