Among mild methods for catalytic aromatic C–H activation, the oxidative Heck (Fujiwari–Moritani) reaction holds a prominent position. 1 The presence of an anilide that functions as a directing group for palladation permits ortho-specific C–C bond formation, as first shown stoichiometrically by Horino, 2 and developed into a useful catalytic reaction by de Vries and co-workers. 3 Several developments have been reported in the interim period. 4 In the ...