A process for preparing substituted biphenyls in which R1=nitro, amino or NHR3, R2=CN, NO2, halogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-haloalkyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl or phenyl, R3=C1-C4-alkyl, C2-C4-alkenyl or C2-C4-alkynyl, m=1 or 2; n=0 to 3, which comprises reacting a compound II in the presence of a base and of a palladium catalyst selected from the group of: a) palladium-triarylphosphine or -trialkylphosphine complex with palladium in the zero oxidation state, b) salt of palladium in the presence of triarylphospine or trialkylphosphine as a complex ligand or c) metallic palladium applied to support if appropriate, in the presence of triarylphosphine or trialkylphosphine, in a solvent, with a diphenylborinic acid (III)