herein is the first synthesis of the monobenzannulated 5,5-spiroketals danshenspiroketallactone and epi-danshenspiroketallactone, two components of the traditional Chinese medicine Danshen. Key features of the synthesis include a directed metallation-lactonisation sequence to install the isobenzofuranone moiety and an oxidative radical cyclisation to afford the monobenzannulated 5,5-spiroketal. Danshen