A first example of a highly stable benzimidazole N-donor dinuclear palladacycle complex is reported. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that two ligands assembled through complexation to two palladium(II) ions to give a compressed rectangular shaped metallamacrocycle. This complex catalyzed Suzuki coupling reaction effectively in MeOH at room temperature. Hg(0) poisoning test supports the formation of L-Pd(0) species in the catalytic reaction. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.