Several Pd-catalyzed cyclization methods were developed, including norbornene-mediated Catellani-type reactions, a Pd-catalyzed coupling reaction of aryl iodides and allyl moieties, and a tandem C-N/C-C coupling of gem-dihalovinyl systems. These ring-forming methods were applied to the synthesis of highly functionalized carbocyclic and heterocyclic compounds. Intermolecular Pd-catalyzed methods for synthesis of highly substituted arene compounds were also developed.