The acridinone series was synthesised via a four-step synthetic pathway. Initially, 1,9-diaminoacridinone was prepared following the method reported by García-Garrido et al., with alterations made to the method of nitro group reduction. A Jourdan-Ullman condensation reaction between commercially available 2-bromo-3-nitrobenzoic acid and 2-nitroaniline was performed to afford compound 11 (Scheme 1). Copper powder was used as a catalyst in this reaction, which is performed under molten conditions at 190 ℃ for 4 h. The high temperatures required for the reaction are a consequence of the significant deactivation of the bromine position in 2-bromo-3-nitrobenzoic acid. This deactivation was reflected in the poor yields achieved for this step, which did not exceed 30%. Ring closure of the intermediate was initiated by dissolving 11 in conc. H2SO4 and heating to 100 ℃ for 1 h to afford the 1,9dinitroacridinone intermediate 12 in 79% yield.