The synthesis of dibenz [i~, cl[l,3]cycloheptadiene-5,7-dione (I), a new member of the dibenz [a, c][l,3]cycloheptadiene (11) series, has been accomplishrd by (1) the condensation of diethyl diphenate and ethyl acetate with alkaline catalysts, (2) the reaction of diphenoyl chloride and sodiomalonic ester, and (3) the condensation of diphenic anhydride and rnalonic ester with zii~c chloride. In addition to the (I), these reactions afford comparable amounts of 2,2l-diacetyl biphenyl (XIII). It has been possible to establish the identity of (I) from the carbonyl and e~lolic derivatives and products obtained in reactions of hydrolysis, oxidation, and reduction.