Abstract: The present invention relates to new tetralins and their use for the preparation of anthracyclinones and anthracyclins. These tetralins contain at least one chiral carbon atom and correspond to the formula (V) below: ##STR1## in which: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 denote a hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom or the group OCH.sub.3, provided that one of the two substituents (R.sub.1 or R.sub.2) must denote OCH.sub.3, andR.sub.3 denotes a hydrogen atom or the OR' group, R' being hydrogen or a hydroxyl-protecting group. Application: synthesis of glycosides of great therapeutic value.