A silica-supported poly-gamma-methylselenopropylsiloxane palladium complex has been prepared from gamma-chloropropyltriethoxysilane via immobilization on fumed silica, followed by reacting with sodium methylselenolate and then the reaction with palladium chloride. It is an efficient catalyst for Heck carbonylation of aryl halides under atmospheric pressure of carbon monoxide. This polymeric palladium catalyst can be recovered and reused. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.