The invention provides a process for preparing 11 .beta.-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors of formula 2 via a catalyzed reaction between a compound of formula 1 and a compound of formula R.sup.2LG in the presence of base: where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, X, Y, and LG are described in the specification. Exemplary catalysts contain palladium and one or more phosphine ligands. The process can be performed in a stereoselective manner to give enantiomerically enriched products.