Abstract Cyclobuta [a] naphthalene derivatives (2a–c) and an anthracene analog (2d) were prepared by a double annulation procedure from mono-or bicyclic precursors (1a–d). Compound 2a was further converted to 3-hydroxynaphto [a] cyclobutene (10), to the novel quinone 11 and to naphthofuran derivatives (14, 17).