Abstract
The reaction of diphenides (IIa-f) with potassium cyanide in dimethyl sulfoxide was found to give 10-hydroxy-9-phenanthrenecarbonitriles (IIIa-f) in a reasonable yield via the intramolecular recyclization of a ring-opened intermediate (IV). However, the reaction of 1, 2, 10, 11-tetramethoxydiphenide (IIg) afforded 2'-cyanomethyl-5, 6, 5', 6'-tetramethoxy-2-biphenylcarboxylic acid (Ig), which could not be recyclized to IIIg because of steric hindrance of the methoxyl groups in Ig. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of III were discussed.
