A direct synthesis of conformationally mobile P,O- and P,N-type heterocyclic phosphine ligands is described involving radical-mediated addition of diisobutylphosphine to olefinic-heterocycles. Palladium complexes of the P,N-ligand were determined to be highly active in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplingreactions, including deactivated aryl chlorides.