The oxidative cyclization of (E,E)‐2′‐hydroxycinnamylideneacetophenones 1a–e, and (E, E)‐2′‐benzyloxy‐6′‐hydroxycinnamylideneacetophenones 1i–l with DMSO/iodine, gave (E)‐2‐styrylchromones 3a–e,i–l. However, in the case of (E, E)‐γ‐alkyl‐2′‐hydroxycinnamylideneacetophenones 1f–h, (E)‐ and (Z)‐2‐styrylchromones 3f–h and 4f–h were obtained. The stereochemistry of the (E,E)‐cinnamylideneacetophenones 1 and (E)‐ and (Z)‐2‐styrylchromones 3 and 4 was established by NOE experiments. The induced daylight photooxidative cyclization of some (E)‐2‐styrylchromones 3a,f–h gave 12H‐benzo[a]xanthene‐12‐ones 6a,f–h.