2 - Phenylimidazo[4, 5-f][1, 10]phenanthrolines could be obtained in excellent yields by the onepot three-component condensation of 1, 10 phenanthroline-5,6-dione, aldehyde and ammonium acetate in the presence of catalytic amount of the inexpensive, readily available iodine under solvent-free condition. The mixture was ground together in a mortar with a pestle at room temperature for short reaction time and easy operation under solvent free condition.
