7-epithioheptylsiloxane palladium (0 )complex was synthesized from γ-(2
3-epithiopropoxy) propyltrimethoxysilane and fumesilica via hydrolysis
followed by treatment with palladium chloride in acetone and then thereduction with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol. It was found that the title complex is anefficient catalystfor Heck arylation ofstyrene and acrylic acid . When aryliodides were usedas arylating reagents
the corresponding trans coupling products were obtained in high yields. This polymeric palladium (O) catalyst is stable to air and can be reused without noticeabil loss of activity. Hence this paper presents a simple and practical stereo-selective synthetic method for unsymmetrical trans-stilbenes and substituted trans-cinnamic acids.