Diiodobenzenes were employed in palladiumcatalyzed one-pot sequential reactions with propiolic acid and aryl halides to provide the corresponding diarylalkynyl benzenes. The combination of Pd(PPh 3) 4 (10 mol %) and DBU (5.0 equiv) gave optimal results in the sequence. Reactions with 1,2-diiodobenzene gave higher yields than those utilizing 1,3-and 1,4-diiodobenzenes. Furthermore, benzenes bearing electron-donating substituents gave higher yields than those with electron-withdrawing substituents.