A Ni-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling (XEC) between 5 and 6 followed by cyclization via EAS forms 2. The aryl aldehyde AB-ring fragment 6 is traced back to the oxabenzonorbornadiene (OBD) 9, obtained from a regioselective boron-directed benzyne cycloaddition between benzyne precursor 10 and furan 11. The iodotriflate 10 is accessed from commercially available diiodobenzoic acid 12.