Polymer-supported Pd(AAEMA)(2) (Pd-pol) [AAEMA(-): deprotonated form of 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate] in the presence of chiral ligands catalyses the asymmetric substitution of rac-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. A series of conventional ligands were tested: the enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee) were similar to those observed employing the analogous homogeneous catalyst or a classical soluble palladium complex. In some case the supported catalyst was used in two subsequent runs with only a slight loss of activity and selectivity. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.