A modular and concise total synthesis of (±)-daurichromenic acid has been accomplished in four steps from ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl crotonate, and trans, trans-farnesal. A series of analogues of this natural product, which has potent anti-HIV activity, were also prepared from ethyl or methyl acetoacetate and a series of readily available α, β-unsaturated esters and aldehydes.
