The tricyclic 6-7-6 core structure of the triterpene salvadione (1) was obtained in an efficient manner from the aryl bromide 16 and the alkyl iodide 35 carrying a methylenecyclohexane group at the terminus. Alkylation of the anion derived from 16 with the iodide 35 gave the tethered system 36. This compound was converted into the allylic bromide 40. Finally, a Lewis acid mediated intramolecular Friedel–Crafts