Sesbania gum xanthate supported palladium complex (SG-CS2-Pd) was synthesized and characterized by XPS, TGA, DTA, etc. The complex exhibits high activity and stereoseletivity for Heck reaction under atmospheric condition and can be easily recovered and reused. Heck reaction of styrene with iodobenzene can be carried out efficiently by using SG-CS2-Pd as catalyst even at the low temperature (70 degrees C) or with tiny amount of the catalyst (0.1 mol % Pd). SG-CS2-Pd has high catalytic activity for arylation of acrylic acid or styrene with ioclobenzene under the condition of NMP as solvent and the yield of cinnamic or trans-stilbene exceeded 90%. The Heck arylation of substituted iodobenzene with acrylic acid or styrene with iodobenzene can also be efficiently catalyzed by using SG-CS2-Pd as catalyst under the conditions of 90 degrees C, NMP as solvent. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.