The ABD-ring of phomactin A was synthesized using an intramolecular formal oxa-[3+ 3] cycloaddion of an α, β-unsaturated iminium salt tethered to a 1, 3-diketone. This represents the first time that the 12-membered ring has been formed simultaneously with the 1- oxadecalin and should afford a facile route to the challenging structure of phomactin A.