Abstract
The reaction product of diphenide (I) with potassium cyanide, previously described as 2'-cyanomethy1-2-biphenylcarboxylic acid (II), is in fact a phenanthrol derivative (V). The acid (II) is an intermediate in the reaction. These facts were provedby synthesis of II from I by an alternative, unambiguous method. In the last step of the synthesis, only boron tribromide is effective for hydrolysis of the ester (IX). This is the first time it has been employed as a hydrolyzing agent for an ester.
In contrast to previous results, 9-phenanthrol (III) was found to be a product of the calcium salt of V.
