An efficient new route to the benzo [b] xanthone system has been developed and applied to the synthesis of several new derivatives. The cycloaddition reactions of chromone-3- carboxaldehydes 12, reacting as dienophiles, with ortho-benzoquinodimethane 7 gave a diastereomeric mixture of cycloadducts 8 and 9. The formation of these compounds results from the Diels–Alder reactions of 12 and 7 followed by the in situ deformylation. The ...