Four unconjugated diimine palladium complexes have been synthesized, and spectroscopically and structurally characterized. All four palladium complexes were used as catalysts in the Heck coupling reaction between iodobenzene and methyl acrylate or butyl acrylate with very good conversion to either methyl (2E)-3-phenylacrylate or butyl (2E)-3-phenylacrylate. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.