One electron reduction of aryl halides is known to generate the aryl radical and halide ion. These aryl radicals will cyclize onto an adjacent benzene ring in a reaction that is potentially useful in organic synthesis and which is well documented at a mercury cathode. 5-(2-Halophenyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)tetrazoles are used here as representative substrates and the cyclization reaction to 7-fluorotetrazolo[1,5-f] phenanthridine is developed at cathodes of cadmium, zinc and mild-steel. A high yield of the desired cyclization product is achieved using a mild-steel cathode and a sacrificial magnesium anode in an undivided cell with acetonitrile, 0.1 M tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate as electrolyte and under an air atmosphere.