MCM-41 -supported Poly(gamma-mercaptopropylsiloxane palladium(0)) complex [MCM-41-SH-Pd(0)] was conveniently synthesized from commercially available and cheap gamma-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane via immobilization on MCM-41, followed by reacting with palladium chloride and then the reduction with hydrazine hydrate. XRD and XPS spectroscopy were employed to characterize the title palladium complex. It was found that this complex is a highly active and stereoselective catalyst for Heck arylation of conjugated alkenes with aryl halides and can be reused many times without loss of activity. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.