[RuCp(PP)](+) complexes active for allylation of alcohols with ally' alcohol as the allylating agent were immobilized on solid supports. Two different immobilization methods have been applied: (1) via electrostatic interactions of the cationic complex on ion-exchange resins, where the anion is present on the support and (2) via a coordination bond with a ligand covalently-bound on the support. Both methods give high yields of immobilized complex through relatively simple procedures. The catalysts immobilized via ionic interactions prove to be able to allylate both 1-octanol and 4-tert-butylphenol with very low leaching of the catalyst, thus forming allyl octyl ether and C-allylated phenol, respectively. The accumulation of water in the highly hydrophilic resin precludes the O-allylation of phenol and also retards the C-allylation reaction. The catalysts immobilized via a coordination bond are not hydrophilic: with these catalysts selective O-allylation of phenols is achieved, with recycling of the catalysts over multiple runs. Leaching of the catalyst from the support is somewhat higher than for the electrostatically-bound catalyst and quarternisation (allylation) of the excess of phosphine groups present on the support plays an important role in the activity of the immobilized catalysts for the allylation reaction. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.