To obtain the subject compound, to start with a readily available material, by reaction of a heterocyclic aromatic halogen compound with carbon monoxide and an aromatic amine in the presence of a catalyst and a base.

This compound, an amide of formula I [A1 is N or CR1; A2 is N or CR2; A3 is N or CR3; A4 is N or CR4; A5 is N or CR5 (R1 to R5 are each H, a 1-4C alkyl, aryl, etc.); R6 is H or a 1-4C alkyl; R7 is a (substituted) aromatic or heterocyclic aromatic group], is obtained by reaction of a halide of formula II (X is Cl, Br or I) with carbon monoxide and an amine of the formula R6-NH-R7 in the presence of a base and a complex of a diphosphine of formula III [R8 to R11 are each a (substituted) phenyl; (n) is 3 or 4] and palladium. The diphosphine is pref. 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane or 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane.