β-Aroyl-α,β-diphenylpropionic acids have been prepared in good yields from diphenylsuccinic anhydride either by the Friedel–Crafts' or by the Grignard reaction. The latter served also for the determination of the orientation of the acids produced in the Friedel–Crafts' reactions. Reduction of the aroyl acids was studied using the Clemmensen, high pressure hydrogenation and Meerwein–Ponndorf methods.