The catalytic activity and selectivity of palladium supported on various metal oxides and zeolites in carbon-carbon coupling reactions of aryl bromides with olefins (Heck reaction) are reported and reviewed. The supported Pd particles and entrapped Pd complexes exhibit high activity towards the Heck reaction for very small palladium concentrations (0.1 mol%). The activity is determined by the nature of the support and the Pd dispersion. The electronic nature of the aryl bromides and the olefins has a dominating effect on the reaction yield. The catalysts can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and reused after washing without loss in activity.