transformation of cyclobutanones into acyclic carbonyl compounds through a Pd-catalyzed C–C bond cleavage is reported. The use of an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand efficiently promoted the ring opening and functionalization of various cyclobutanones, not only with alcohols, but also with N-centered nucleophiles, such as aniline or amide derivatives. Cyclobutanones were also found to react with arylboronic