Pd(0) nanoparticles stabilized by polyvinylpyrrolidone (Pd-PVP) with a diameter of 3-6 nm in ethanol catalyzed Heck coupling of iodobenzene with different alkenes under microwave heating. Products were obtained in good yields (62-99%) and good selectivity to the E-isomers. Microwave heating proved to be superior to conventional heating, providing products in higher yields and selectivities in short times (12 min). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.