A general synthesis of diarylketones by means of a three-component cross-coupling of aryl and heteroaryl bromides, carbon monoxide, and boronic acids.

Pd(OAc)2/di-1-adamantyl-n-butylphosphine (cataCXium A) is highly active in the three-component Suzuki carbonylation and represents the most general catalyst system reported up to now. A broad range of aryl/heteroaryl bromides and aryl boronic acids can be coupled to the corresponding diarylketones at low catalyst loadings.