Palladium(O)-catalyzed arylation of 1H-1,2,3-benzotriazole (BTA) in DMF at 150 degrees C in the presence of copper salt with arylhalides proceeds regioselectively at N-1 position. Best result has been obtained with the PdCl2(dppe) as catalyst and the Cu(II) phenylcyclopropylcarboxylate as co-catalyst. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.