N[1-Alkylpyridin-4(1H)-yliden]amides (PYAs) are a new class of easily prepared, neutral N-donor ligands that share some features in common with N-heterocyclic carbenes. They are strongly electron-donating toward metal centers, and a palladium(II) complex of one of these ligands has been shown to successfully catalyze both the Heck-Mizoroki and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions.