α-Arylations can be run under micellar catalysis conditions using a Pd(i) pre-catalyst together with KO-t-Bu as base. Sequences using this coupling along with as many as four additional steps can be carried out in a 1-pot fashion, all in water.

Palladium-catalyzed carbene insertion was utilized in a formal synthesis of (±)-picropodophyllone and a total synthesis of (±)-brazilin. All prior syntheses of brazilin have involved a Friedel−Crafts alkylation in the key carbon− carbon bond forming events. The palladium-catalyzed [4 + 1] reaction generates a 1-arylindane with all of the functionalities needed for formation of the indano[2,1-c]chroman ring system of brazilin. The synthesis of (±)-brazilin was achieved in 11 steps (longest linear sequence) with an overall 11% yield.