Abstract: Dihydro-9,9,10,10-bis(propiono-γ-lactono)-phenanthrene was synthesized by five steps of reaction with an overall yield of 24%, 7% better than Dallacker synthesis in eight steps. Ethyl 3-(o-iodobenzoyl)propionate was also synthesized from o-iodobenzoyl chloride and triethyl ethane-1,1,2-tricarboxylate in two steps of reaction with an overall yield of 43%, 13% better than the above synthesis. The acylation of triethyl ethane-1,1,2-tri-carboxylate by diphenoyl chloride was also studied and reasonably good yields obtained.

Key words: Dihydrophenanthrenebislactone, Perylenequinone, McMurry reaction