reaction conditions by applying a lesser amount of Xantphos or different ligand systems significantly decreased the yield or proved to be completely unsuccessful (Table 1, entries 6−9). Utilizing either Pd(OAc)2 or Xantphos yielded 0% of 3aa, respectively (Table 1, entries 10 and 11). The use of air instead of an oxygen atmosphere was less successful and afforded the product in only 41% yield (Table 1, entry 12). Moreover, to prevent triphenylene formation the slow or stepwise addition of 2a was not necessary. The catalytic system in combination with phenyl thiocyanate bypasses this undesired reaction pathway. Other common oxidants such as benzoquinone, silver carbonate, and copper(II) acetate entirely suppressed the product formation. Application of oxone and ammonium persulfate had no influence on the reaction and afforded the product in similar yields as when under an argon atmosphere. With the optimized reaction conditions in hand we started to examine the scope of this transformation (Scheme 2). Various electron-donating and -withdrawing aryl thiocyanates were exposed to the reaction. Methyl substituents in ortho-, meta-, and para-positions yielded the corresponding thiobenzonitriles in similar yields ranging from 71% to 78% (3ba−3da). Application of the electron-donating but inductively electronwithdrawing anisole derivative delivered the corresponding product 3ea in 51% yield. The electron-poor phenyl thiocyanate containing the electron-withdrawing CF3 group was converted to the desired product 3fa in only 17% yield. Decreasing the reaction temperature to 25 °C increased the yield up to 25%. Different halogens at the benzene ring revealed only a small influence on the reactivity. The desired products could be obtained in moderate yields ranging from 50% to 61% (3ga−3ja). However, these examples represent products which show difficulties in several other biaryl thioether syntheses. Finally, thiocyanates with extended π-systems were employed affording naphthalene derivative 3ka in 61% yield and indole derivative 3la in 52% yield, respectively. In contrast to previous examples trimerization of the aryne was a noteworthy side reaction. Because of the formation of a large amount of triphenylene side product, 4.5 equiv of 2a were required to achieve a satisfactory conversion in the latter case.