Abstract Heteroaromatics bearing unprotected hydroxyalkyl functions can be arylated using aryl or heteroaryl bromides, via palladium-catalysed carbon-hydrogen bond activation/arylation. Good yields were generally obtained using 0.01–0.5 mol% of the air- stable palladium acetate complex as the catalyst. The nature of the base was found to be crucial for the selectivity of this reaction. Potassium acetate led to the direct arylation ...