A concise and highly versatile method for the synthesis of functionalized isoindolinones is reported. Various 2-bromoanilines undergo palladium-catalyzed carbonylation with 2-formylbenzoic acid under a convenient and mild procedure to give good to excellent yields of the corresponding isoindolinones. Additionally, 2-halobenzaldehydes can be applied as substrates in palladium-catalyzed double-carbonylation to provide identical compounds in moderate to good yields. © 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA , Weinheim.