This investigation of the catalytic properties of noble metal nanoparticles stabilized in hyper crosslinked polystyrene (HPS) matrix shows the prospect for their application in selective hydrogenation, selective oxidation and enantioselective hydrogenation, which represent key stages for the synthesis of the intermediates and final products of pharmaceutical industry. Commercial use of nanosized catalysts allows shortening the synthetic stages, increasing product yields, and improving the environmental safety of the existing industrial processes. In this review, the synthesis, structure and catalytic properties of mono (Pt, Ru, Pd), bi (Pt-Pd, Pt-Ru, Pd-Ru), and trimetallic (Pt-Pd-Ru) nanoparticles stabilized in the pores of a polymeric HPS matrix are discussed. Physicochemical investigations have shown that the formation of metalcontaining nanoparticles depends on the properties of the porous polymeric structure, the nature of the initial metal precursor, and the synthesis conditions. The use of nanosized catalysts is revealed to be effective in the most important field of fine organic synthesis: preparation of materials for medicine, vitamins, and food additives (e.g. in food and pharmaceutical industries). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.