benzannulation reaction of internal or terminal alkynes with 2-biaryl, 2-heteroarylphenyl, or 2-alkenylphenyl Grignard reagents in the presence of Fe(acac)(3), 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl, and 1,2-dichloro-2-methylpropane takes place at room temperature in 1 h to give 9-substituted or 9,10-disubstituted phenanthrenes and congeners in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction tolerates sensitive