Phenyl functionalized 2D-hexagonal mesoporous silica material has been synthesized by cationic/nonionic mixed surfactant templating route. The phenyl group of this mesoporous material is further functionalized via nitration and then reduction of that nitro group to amino functionality, followed by Schiff base condensation and heterogenization of a palladium(II) complex, yielded an ortho-metalated palladium(II) complex anchored in a ordered mesoporous silica matrix. This supported metal complex acts as an efficient catalyst in the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and shows high selectivity for the bi-aryl products. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.