4,4,8,8-Tetramethyl-2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10-octahydropyrrolo[4,3,2-m,n]acridin- 10- ones were alkylated at the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole ring by successive treatment with sodium hydride and an alkyl halide. Treatment of the neutral molecule with methyl iodide gave alkylation at the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring. Derivatives of pyrrolo[4,3,2-m,n]acridine with no substituent at position 2 readily lost a proton from the NH group of the pyrrole ring to give bipolar structures. ©1998 Plenum Publishing Corporation.