When supported palladium catalysts are used for Heck vinylation of iodobenzene with methyl acrylate in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in the presence of triethylamine and sodium carbonate bases, the reaction proceeds homogeneously with dissolved active palladium species that are formed through coordination of NMP and triethylamine with palladium. These active species easily react with iodobenzene (oxidative addition), beginning the catalytic cycle of Heck coupling. The last step of catalyst regeneration takes place with the action of sodium carbonate. The active palladium species are not stable and deposit the metal to support when they cannot find iodobenzene to react in the reaction mixture after this substrate is completely consumed. The re-deposition of palladium occurs on the surfaces of bare support and/or palladium particles remaining on it, depending on the nature of support surface and the number and size of residual metal particles. The growth of palladium particles has been observed after the reuse of catalyst in some case. However, the supported catalysts are recyclable without loss of activity. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.