Thermolysis of benzopyranone-indenone adducts 1, probably proceeding via o- quinodimethanes 10, gives C-nor-D-homo steroids 4, benzo [c] fluorenones 5, and traces of benzo [b] cyclopropa [Imlfluorenones 6. Evidence is presented for the intervention of a biradical intermediate 12 leading to compounds of type 5. A consecutive and common intermediate 15 is introduced to explain the formation of identical products on thermolysis ...