Racemic ligularone (2) and isoligularone (18) were synthesized from the cis
-4a beta,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-8 beta,8a beta-dimethylnapthalen-1,3(2H,4H)-d
ione (11) by furannulation reaction with diethylprop-2-ynylsulphonium bromi
de, prepared from diethyl sulfide and propargyl bromide.