The structurally novel diazobenzo[
a]fluorene antibiotic isoprekinamycin (IPK) has been synthesized for the first time employing a Suzukicoupling of a brominated AB ring synthon with a boronate ester representing the D ring, followed by anionic cyclization and appropriatefunctional group manipulations. The first indication that the diazobenzo[
a]fluorene system exhibits in vitro anticancer activity is provided andX-ray crystallographic evidence for enhancement of diazonium ion character as a consequence of intramolecular H-bonding is described.