Herein, we report a C-N coupling reaction via antiaromatic endocyclic nitrenium ions. The nitrenium ion intermediate was generated by a combination of iodine(III) reagent PhI(OCOCF3)(2) and the N-H center of benzimidazole units at ambient laboratory conditions. Metal-free synthesis of benzimidazole-fused phenanthridine derivatives was achieved in good to excellent yields.