Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed arylation of C(sp(3))-H bonds in alpha-cyano-alpha-methyl aliphatic amides is achieved in the presence of 8-aminoquinoline, as a removable directing group, using Mn(OAc)(2) and Na2CO3. The current strategy enables the placement of an aryl/heteroaryl group at the beta-position of alpha-cyano aliphatic acids for the first time. Wide functional group tolerance and easily accessible starting materials provide an efficient protocol for the synthesis of arylated alpha-cyano amides. Furthermore, the synthetic utility of the products has been demonstrated by their efficient conversions to medicinally important alpha,alpha-dialkylated acid and beta-amino acid derivatives.