The performances of palladium metal catalysts supported by organic resins containing tertiary amino, cyano, carboxyl, and pyridyl groups have been investigated in standard Heck, reactions. The catalysts were prepared by either immobilization in the resins of palladium(II) precursors and chemical reduction thereof or by deposition of solvated metal atoms obtained by means of metal vapor synthesis (MVS). Particular attention was paid to the nature of catalysis in the presence of these materials. As the observed catalytic activity turned out to be generally associated with metal leaching, the reaction was most likely catalyzed in solution by soluble, active palladium species. However, a MVS 1% (w/w) catalyst supported by a commercial polyvinylpyridine resin cross-linked with divinylbenzene exhibited an appreciable catalytic activity with a possible partial contribution from supported active palladium species. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.