An efficient synthesis of coniochaetone A and of racemate coniochaeton
e B was achieved by a short five-step procedure from methyl di-O-methy
l-p-orsellinate. The key step is a cascade reaction of -methoxy-4'-met
hyl-2-(methylsulfinyl)-acetophenone with succindialdehyde in the prese
nce of piperidine which allows the direct building of the tricyclic be
nzopyranone structure.