A convenient and efficient synthetic method of the important intermediate naphthazarin is presented starting from 1, 4, 5, 8-tetramethoxynaphthalene in an overall yield of 87%. Compared with the reported synthesis, this method has several advantages. Firstly, the reaction conditions are milder; secondly, the workup of each step is simpler and the yield is considerably higher; thirdly, all the reactions involved in the method are more suitable for large-scale preparations.Scheme 1 a, CAN, CH 3 CN, r. t., 98%; b, Zn, Ac 2 O, (Et) 3 N, DMAP, r. t. 91%; c, CAN, CH 3 CN, r. t., 99%; d, 1 mol/L NaOH, 10% HCl, r.t., 98%.