A straightforward synthesis of 3, 8-dimethoxy-10, 11-dihydrobenzo [j] fluoranthen-12-ones 1 is reported in a seven-step route from biphenyl-4, 4′-diol 2 via the transformation of a double Claisen rearrangement, cross metathesis with ethyl acrylate, and polyphosphoric acid (PPA)-promoted Friedel–Crafts electrophilic benzannulation in good yields.
