ALKYL POLYHYDRO-2-PHENANTHRYLIDENEACETATES ARE PREPARED BY INTERACTING THE CORRESPONDING 2-OXOPOLYHYDROPHENANTHRENES WITH A TRI-LOWER-ALKYL A-PHOSPHONO-LOWERALKANOATE. SAID ALKYL POLYHYDRO-2-PHENANTHRYLIDENEACETATES ARE HYDROLYZED TO THE FREE ACID, AND THE REESTERIFIED VIA THE ACID CHLORIDE WITH A TERTIARY-AMINO-LOWER-ALKANOL TO GIVE BASIC ESTERS HAVING CARDIOTONIC ACTIVITY.