The simultaneous construction of a C-S and a C-C bond under catalytic conditions forms the basis of an efficient route to diversely functionalized benzothiophenes from gem-dihalovinyl thiophenols. The C-C bond can be formed in this tandem catalytic process with an organoboron reagent as shown in the scheme (R1=H, Me, F, Cl, Br,-OCH2O-; R2=H, Me; R 3=aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, alkyl), or by Heck or Sonogashira coupling with an alkene or alkyne. © 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.