simple reaction, we asked ourselves whether other Het−CN bonds such as S−CN are able to undergo a similar transformation. In contrast to the reactivity of Het−CN bonds with alkenes or alkynes the strained triple bond of an aryne possesses a much higher reactivity; thus, numerous side reactions such as triphenylene formation7 have to be suppressed using this special kind of triple bond as a reaction partner. A major difference between cyanamides and thiocyanates is the philicity of the two heteroatoms. The facile loss of the acidic hydrogen of cyanamides renders the internal nitrogen highly nucleophilic and enables attack to the electrophilic aryne without further activation (Scheme 1).8 Contrary to nitrogen in cyanamides, the sulfur in thiocyanates is rather positively polarized9 and is not able to undergo a nucleophilic attack on the aryne without further activation. Therefore, we tried to combine aryne chemistry10 with a Pd-catalyzed activation of aryl thiocyanates. At the outset of our studies phenyl thiocyanate (1a) and aryne precursor 2a were reacted under standard conditions commonly employed in aryne chemistry using CsF and acetonitrile at 40 °C (Table 1, entry 1). As expected, even after heating up to 80 °C, the desired coupling product could not be detected, but complete consumption of 2a was observed. Application of Pd(PPh3)4 as a catalyst yielded traces of product 3aa with concomitant formation of diphenylthioether as the major product (Table 1, entry 2). Therefore, Pd(OAc)2 in combination with Xantphos was applied affording 3aa in yields varying between 10% and 30% (Table 1, entry 3). Surprisingly, oxidative reaction conditions using an oxygen atmosphere dramatically increased the yield to 81% (Table 1, entry 4). In addition, the formation of diphenylthioether was suppressed (