We describe a modular, palladium catalyzed synthesis of aryl(hetero)aryl benzophenones and aryl benzoates from aryl(hetero)aryl halides using CHCl3 as the carbonyl source in the presence of KOH. The reaction occurs in tandem through an initial carbonylation to generate an aroyl halide, which undergoes coupling with arylboronic acids, bornonates, and phenols. Direct carbonylative coupling of indoles at the third position has also been accomplished under slightly modified reaction conditions by in situ activation of the C-H bond. Notably, CHCl3 is a convenient and safe alternation of CO gas, provides milder reaction conditions with high functional group tolerance, and gives the products in moderate to good yields.