The key intermediate, 2-formyl-1, 4, 5, 8-tetramethoxynaphthalene, was prepared through 1, 4, 5, 8-tetramethoxynaphthalene, which was obtained from 1, 5-naphthalenediol via three steps or from naphthazarin via one step. A total synthesis of shikalkin and dihydroshikalkin have been accomplished with this aldehyde via a side-chain introductions with Grignard reactions and the following demethylations.
