2A palladium-catalyzed α-arylation of amides is reported. Intermolecular arylation of N, N- dimethylamides and lactams occurs using aryl halides, silylamide base, and a palladium catalyst. Intramolecular arylation of N-(2-halophenyl) amides occurs using alkoxide base and a palladium catalyst. The palladium catalyst was formed in situ from Pd (dba) 2 (dba= trans, trans-dibenzylidene acetone) and BINAP (2, 2'-bis (diphenylphosphino)-1, 1'- ...