1H-Benzo[de]cinnolines, 6H-dibenzo[de,g]cinnolines and 1H-indeno[6,7,1-def]cinnolines are an interesting class of heterocyclic compounds related both to perimidines and to indazoles. This review covers the bibliography from their discovery in 1971 to the present days. Synthesis, reactivity and physico-chemical properties are reported in their integrity as well as theoretical calculations. Up to now, there are almost no biological studies. This work was carried out with financial support from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Project PGC2018-094644-B-C2) and Dirección General de Investigación e Innovación de la Comunidad de Madrid (PS2018/EMT-4329 AIRTEC-CM)