Carbosubstitutions in spirene triflates can be effected by Pd-catalyzed couplings with stannylated or zincated arenes. Differential carbosubstitution resulted from stepwise triflation and coupling in spiro [4, 4]-nonane-1, 6-dione. Catalytic hydrogenation of the 1, 6-diphenyl- 1, 6-diene gave the cis, cis-disubstituted spirane. Metal hydride reduction of intermediate monoketone gave mainly the cis-alcohol.