Highly functionalized diaryl ketones were prepared by carbonylative cross-coupling reaction between triarylbismuthines and aryl and heteroaryl iodides. The reaction is catalyzed by tetrakis (triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) and is performed in the presence of rubidium carbonate. The procedure requires only 1 atmosphere of carbon monoxide and 0.4 equivalents of triarylbismuthine. Addition of lithium chloride provides higher yields of the desired diaryl ketones. This simple protocol shows wide substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. The reactivity of ditolylbismuth chloride and tolylbismuth dichloride is investigated.[a] J.