Cycloalkenepropionic acids were prepared by an Arndt-Eistert synthesis on the unsaturated acids obtained from l-oxo-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydrophenanthrene and its 2-methyl and 2-methyl-7- methoxy derivatives by the Reformatsky reaction. 14, 15-Dehydroequilenin methyl ether was obtained by cyclization of one of the unsaturated acids and also by an extension of Bardhan's method.
![3-(2-carboxy-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-[1]phenanthryl)-propionic acid Structure](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/388/855619-22-6.png)
![3-methoxy-11,12,15,16-tetrahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one Structure](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/170/143216-78-8.png)