Main observation and conclusionrnA divergent and novel protocol for the preparation of both pyrido[2,3,4-k/]acridine and pyrido[4,3,2-k/]acridine alkaloids was devel-oped.This method featured the remote palladium-catalyzed reductive cyclization with Mo(CO)6 as reductant.A wide range of sub-strates including three types of nitro arenes were tolerated and afforded corresponding products in good to excellent yields.This method has been successfully applied to the total synthesis of norsegoline,styelsamine C and the skeleton of necatorone.