Synthesis of a compound with bowl-like, symmetrical molecular architecture, starting from a Diels-Alder adduct 7, derived from a reaction between 2,5-dihydro-2,5-dimethoxyfuran and 1,2,3,4-tetrachloro-5,5-dimethoxycyclopentadiene, is reported. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.