A simple method of depositing Pd nanoparticles onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as catalyst supports is devised for C-C bond forming reactions. Thiol groups were utilized as linkers to secure the Pd nanoparticles without agglomeration. The samples were characterized by TEM, XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The prepared CNT-Pd nanocomposites effectively promoted the formation of C-C bonds at a low Pd content (similar to 2.0%) and in the absence of any ligand. This result indicates that surface thiolation is an effective way to obtain highly dispersed metal nanoparticles on the surface of CNTs and markedly improves their catalytic activity. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.