LAUSR

A Pd complex with the H‐spirophosphorane ligand, PdCl2{P(OCMe2CMe2O)OC6H4NH2} (Cat. 1), was used as the catalyst in the carbonylative Suzuki coupling of substituted iodobenzenes with arylboronic acids and with sodium tetraphenylborate. Substituted diarylketones were obtained in good to excellent yields and a selectivity over 95 % under 1 atm of CO with 1.5 mol % of the catalyst. The promoting role of the H‐spirophosphorane ligand in the catalytic process was evidenced. We used X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, TEM, and 31P NMR spectroscopy to reveal that during the reaction Cat. 1 undergoes transformation into Pd complexes that bear the spirophosphorane ligand or other P ligands formed by its dealkylation and to Pd nanoparticles. All these Pd species contribute to the high productivity of the system.