Abstract Reformatsky reactions between 2, 3-dihydro-4 (1H)-phenanthrenone (5) and ethyl α- bromoacetate or propanoate yield several unsaturated esters which, upon aromatization followed by saponification, lead to the 4-phenanthrylacetic (1) and 2-(4-phenanthryl) propanoic (2) acids. The analgesic and antiinflammatory properties of 1 and 2 were measured and compared with those of Fenbufen.
