A Novel Palladium-Mediated Cascade Reaction Triggered by Strain Release of the Cyclobutane System. A New General Route to Benzo- and Naphthohydrindans

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 C 11 -alkylated steroids.