Starting from 1b, an overall yield of 68% was reported for the synthesis of 2b by methylation of the hydroxy groups, subsequent reduction to 1,8-dimethyoxyanthracene, twofold bromination to 1,8-dibromo-4,5-dimethoxyanthracene, and final replacement of the bromo substituents by methoxy groups. Despite carrying out this reaction sequence on a 50% larger scale, we achieved exactly the same overall yield at the first try (lower yield for the methylation, higher yield for the reduction, similar yields for the two other steps). We followed the published protocol with slight adaptions: the crude methylation product was concentrated in vacuo and redissolved in CH 2 Cl 2 before passing through a pad of silica, 2N NaOH was used for washing the crude bromination product instead of 5% HCl, and 2b was triturated in boiling CH 2 Cl 2 instead of room temperature. In contrast to the alternative synthesis of 2b, which uses 1-bromo-2,5-dimethoxybenzene as precursor, none of the reactions required purification by column chromatography. Nevertheless, the synthesis using 1-bromo-2,5dimethoxybenzene may be more convenient, if only small amounts of 2b are required.