A convergent synthesis of (+)-4-demethoxydaunomycinone and (+)-daunomycinone via annelation of a functionalized quinone monoketal with the anion of the corresponding 3- cyano-l (3H) isobenzofuranone is reported. The quinone monoketal, sequence, was prepared without chromatography from 2, 5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde in sixteen steps. The monoketal of proper absolute configuration was obtained by resolution of the imine from ( ...