Modular approaches, which allow a systematic variation of heteroaromatic cores and substituents, are crucial for the development of heteroaromatic drug candidates and organic functional materials. A new strategy involving the cyclization of heteroarenes tethered with alkynes through a norbornene bridge was developed. The precursors were readily prepared by a three‐component coupling process of heteroaryl halides, norbornadiene, and terminal alkynes. The Pd catalytic system derived from Pd(OAc)2 and 2‐(pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine transformed a variety of five‐membered heteroarenes to the corresponding benzofused products, including (di)benzothiophene, indazole, carbazole, indole, and benzofuran, with aryl and alkyl substituents at the C4(C7) position. During the cyclization process, the norbornene ring underwent a retro‐Diels‐Alder reaction, serving as an acetylene synthon. This approach was used to synthesize naphthalene derivatives from electron‐rich arenes, demonstrating its versatility in the annulation of (hetero)aromatic rings.

Complementary to Catellani-type reactions and 1:1 coupling of six-membered halo­(hetero)­arenes and norbornene (NBE) derivatives, Pd-catalyzed 1:2 coupling of five-membered haloheteroarenes with NBEs was achieved to afford rigid nonplanar heterocycles. Pyrazole, thiophene, furan, and indole underwent exo- and trans-selective annulation. Two strained alkene groups of the resulting products were further manipulated to afford 1-alkylindazoles and ladder polymers. The type of heteroarenes and position of halides along with the choice of ligands and bases were critical to set a preference between C–H annulation and Catellani reactions, which will be useful for the development of Pd-catalyzed, NBE-mediated reactions of heteroarenes.

Regioselective C4‐, C5‐, and di‐alkenylations of pyrazoles were achieved. An electrophilic Pd catalyst generated by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one (DAF) leads to C4‐alkenylation, whereas KOAc and mono‐protected amino acid (MPAA) ligand Ac‐Val‐OH give C5‐alkenylation. A combination of palladium acetate, silver carbonate, and pivalic acid affords dialkenylation products. Annulation through sequential alkenylation, thermal 6π‐electrocyclization, and oxidation gives functionalized indazoles. This comprehensive strategy greatly expands the range of readily accessible pyrazole and indazole derivatives, enabling useful regiodivergent C−H functionalization of pyrazoles and other heteroaromatic systems.