The syntheses of 4, 5-, 2, 7-, and 2, 5-dihydroxyphenanthrenes are described as well as unsuccessful attempts to oxidize these to the corresponding phenanthrenequinones. Instead 5-hydroxy-l, 4-phenanthrenequinone (IV), 7-hydroxy-l, 2-phenanthrenequinone (VI), and 7- hydro~ yl~ Cphenanthrenequinone (X) resulted when Fremy's salt was the oxidant. Spectral evidence for the formation of l18-dibromo-2, 7-phenanthrenequinone(XIV), formed by the ...
