The synthesis of (+/-)-fredericamycin A (1) is reported with full experimental detail. Preparations of building blocks for the upper (2) and lower (3) units of 1 are described. The union of 2 and 3 by a two-step 1,4-dipolar cycloaddition and the elaboration of the resulting product (19) into 1 are presented. The spiro 1,3-dione center in 1 was introduced utilizing a mild mercury-mediated pinacol rearrangement involving a 1,2-carbonyl migration. The reaction of benzylic cuprate anions ortho to aromatic esters has been shown to produce isochromarins in good yield. These isochromarins afford the biologically relevant isoquinolones upon treatment with ammonia.