Abstract A series of pyrano [2, 3, 4-kl] acridines has been synthesized through an unprecedented domino reaction involving1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-10-methylacridone and Grignard reagents. This method has been successfully applied to xanthone, anthracenone, and benzophenone derivatives, thus providing novel access to pyranoxanthenes, dihydronaphthochromenes, and arylchromenes.