This Review reports recent developments in the synthesis of benzo-fused heterocycles through Pd-catalyzed carbon carbon and carbon heteroatom bond forming reactions via direct C H activation. Nitrogen-, oxygen-and sulfur-containing heterocyclic rings can be rapidly assembled starting from precursors with minimal preactivation. Compared to classical coupling reactions (i.e. Suzuki, Stille, Buchwald-Hartwig), these methods provide a more straightforward and economical route to various heterocyclic scaffolds, which is of practical importance considering their role in biology and pharmaceutical industry.