Pd(0) catalysed termolecular queuing processes involving oxidative addition to aryl or vinyl halides followed by cyclisation onto a proximate alkyne, allene (latm) insertion, and capture of the resulting pi-allylpalladium(II) species by secondary amines affords 5-8 membered benzoannelated heterocyclic dienes or electrocyclisation products respectively in good yield. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd