The benzodioxan analogue of didemethoxy-beta-apopicropodophyllin 15 has been synthesized starting from 6. On Stobbe condensation of 2, 3-dihydro-benzo1, 4] dioxin-6-yl- (4-methoxyphenyl) methanone 6 with diethyl succinate gives 7 which on reduction with sodium amalgam yields 8. Cyclisation of 8 with PPA furnishes tetralone ester 10. Formylation of 10 with ethyl formate and sodium hydride affords 11, which on sodium ...