Ring contraction of 6-ethoxycarbonyl-4, 5, 7-trihydroxycoumarin (7) to a 3(2H)-benzofuranone (13) was achieved. Compound 13 was utilized in a synthesis of a griseofulvin analogue (1b) with an ethoxycarbonyl group at the 5 position. However, 1b was found to be inactive in a test of fungicidal activity.