A novel palladium-mediated cascade reaction was reported. By
this procedure, the olefinic
cyclobutanols 17, 24, and 31;
41; 37; and 45 afforded the benzo- and
naphthohydrindans (46−49,
50−53, 54−57, and
58−61) respectively in one operation in the
ratios depending on the mediators
and solvents employed. This provides a novel and efficient
synthesis of biologically important A-nor
and C11-alkylated steroids.