Abstract A new strategy for the construction of A-ring aromatic steroids which resulted in the formal total synthesis of estrone is described. Thus reaction of the adduct (9), obtained from 1-methoxy-4-methylcyclohexa-1, 4-diene and acrolein, with 3-(m-methoxypheny1) propyl- magnesium bromide followed by oxidation afforded the bicyclo [2.2. 2] octene derivative (14). Acid-catalysed rearrangement of (14) followed by an intramolecular Michael addition ...
