Quinone approaches toward the synthesis of aflatoxin B(2)

[reaction: see text] Quinones bearing electron-withdrawing groups can serve as useful precursors to furobenzofuran ring systems through their reaction with 2,3-dihydrofuran. Formal racemic and stereoselective syntheses of the fungal metabolite aflatoxin B(2) are described that utilize this approach to construct the tricyclic ABC-ring core of the molecule.