A convenient route to the daunomycinone precursor 18via a succession of Diels-Alderreactions from 2,7-dichloronaphthazarin (9) is described. In a similar manner, starting from 2,6-dichloronaphthazarin (19) compound 20, a regioisomer of 18,is synthesized. This methodology constitutes a regiospecific approach to (±)-daunomycinone and related anthracyclinones.