Four lipophilic polystyrene-methacryloylethylensulfonic acid-divinylbenzene gel-type resins, with 2 and 4% cross-linking degree, are synthesized and used as supports for "atomic" dispersion of Pd(II) finalized to the preparation of resins-supported palladium metal catalysts. Properly performed reduction of Pd(II) to Pd(0) achieves homogeneous dispersion of ca. 3 nm metal nanoclusters inside the supports particles in the more cross-linked resin. Resulting resin-supported palladium catalysts are efficient and moderately chemoselective in the hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone to 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.