A convenient total synthesis of chromomoric acid B methyl ester 1 and
the first synthesis of chromomoric acid F methyl ester 2 have been des
cribed. A one-pot Michael addition-enolate trapping sequence afforded
ketone 5 which after a few steps was converted to 1. Reiro Diels-Alder
reaction of ester 7 afforded enone 9 which was then transformed to th
e target molecule 2 through hydrogenation and alpha-hydroxylation.