We have previously shown that hydroanthracenones la-e1 and hydronaphthacenone 3, 2 prepared through condensation of phenylsulfonyl isobenz~ furanones~ with cyclohexenonea and naphthalenones, are useful precursors to hydroxyanthraquinones 2a-e and the anthracyclinone intermediate 4. Earlier, we reported that sequential reaction of 1 with NBS in waterlacetone followed by treatment with Et3N furnished 2 in high yield.'While ...