Total synthesis of the ravidomycin aglycone (defucogilvocarcin V)

The synthesis of 1-hydroxy-10,12-dimethoxy-8-vinyl-6H-benzo[d]naphtho[1, 2b]pyran-6-one 7, starting from vanillin and 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene is described. This compound is the aglycone of the antitumor antibiotic ravidomycin and is identical with the recently reported antimicrobial agent, defucogilvocarcin V.