We have developed an effective approach to 1,2‐disubstituted diamondoids by palladium(II) acetate catalyzed functionalization of CH bond. Selective mono‐arylation of the adamantane framework was achieved using picolylamide as a directing group in yields up to 87 %. Kinetic studies in combination with deuterium labeling experiments, competitive experiments and mass spectrometry contribute to the mechanistic