In a previous paper, 1 we described the preparation and resolution of (5RS, 8RS)-trans-5, 6, 6a, 7, 8, 12b-hexahydrobenzo [c] phenanthrene-5, 8-diol (1, X) H), a novel molecular template of the general shape depicted by structure (2). Esterification of the resolved diols (1a, X