Paliadium-catalyzed cross coupling of 1,4-butanesultam and 1,3-propanesultam with a variety of aryl halides was found to provide the desired products in 62-93% isolated yield using Xantphos as ligand. The Pd-catalyzed reaction was found to be superior to the analogous Cu-catalyzed reaction based on product yields, reaction rates, and substrate scope. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.