The cross-coupling reaction of sodium tetra-arylborates with acyl chlorides to give high yields of unsymmetric ketones has been carried out at 20 degrees C in the presence of Pd(OAc)(2) and Na2CO3 in dry or aqueous acetone. Under aqueous conditions arylboronic acids react smoothly with benzoyl chloride resulting in substituted benzophenones. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.