Reaction of tricarbonyl[(2,3,4,5-η)-2,4-cyclohexadien-1-one]iron and higher order cuprates followed by the treatment with acetic anhydride and then with carbon monoxide affords tricarbonyl[(1,2,3,4-η)-1-acetoxy-5-endo-acyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene]iron complexes in good yield, which are converted to meta-acylphenol derivatives by the oxidation with trimethylamine N-oxide.