Phenanthrylalkanoic acids, III: Syntheses and biological activities of 4-phenanthryl derivatives

Reformatsky reactions between 2,3-dihydro-4(1H)-phenanthrenone (5) and ethyl alpha-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 anti-inflammatory properties of 1 and 2 were measured and compared with those of Fenbufen.