Synthesis of partially reduced ferrocenylphenanthrenes from 2-oxobenzo[h]chromenes through C–C insertion

An efficient and concise de novo synthesis of ferrocenyl tethered partially reduced phenanthrenes is described through base-catalyzed ring transformation of 4-sec-amino-2-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbonitriles with acetylferrocene.