A new generation of PNP compounds bearing different diarylphosphine groups were prepared and used as ligands in palladium-catalysed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. Rates of oxidative addition of iodobenzene to (PNP)Pd[0] complexes were measured using UV spectroscopy. Synergistic effects between the N- and P- substituents were identified and correlated in redox and catalytic chemistry.