Polyamidoamine dendrimers, constructed on the surface of silica, were phosp
honated using diphenylphosphinomethanol (prepared in situ) and complexed to
form a palladium-dimethyl TMEDA complex. This catalyst was found to be eff
ective in the Heck reaction of aryl bromides with both butyl acrylate and s
tyrene, affording coupling products in moderate to good yields. The heterog
eneous palladium catalyst can also be recycled and reused with only moderat
e reduction in activity.