A facile synthesis of Dallacker bislactone

9, 10-Dihydro-9, 9, 10,10-bis (propiono-gamma-lactono)-phenanthrene was syn thesized by five steps of reaction with an overall yield of 24%, 7% better than Dallacker synthesis in eight steps. Ethyl 3-(o-iodobenzoyl) propionate was also synthesized from o-iodobenzoyl chloride and triethyl ethane-lt Ir 2-tricarboxylate in two steps of reaction with an overall yield of 43%, 13 % better than the above synthesis. The acylation of triethyl ethane-1, 1, 2 -tri-carboxylate by diphenoyl chloride was also studied and reasonably goad yields obtained.