A new dimeric ortho-palladated complex of 2-methoxyphenethylamine was synthesized and characterized and its application as a cyanation catalyst was investigated. The main advantages of this catalyst are its easy preparation, handling, stability, and moisture insensitivity. Thus, [Pd{C 6 H 3 (CH 2 CH 2 NH 2 )-4-OMe-5-j 2 -C,N}(l-Br)] 2 showed excellent catalytic activity for the cyanation of aryl iodides and bromides with K 4 [Fe(CN) 6 ], in DMF in the presence of K 2 CO 3 under microwave irradiation and conventional heating at 130°C to give the desired cyanoarene products in good to high yields. The less reactive aryl chlorides also react with K 4 [Fe(CN) 6 ] to give moderate yields of the aromatic nitriles. The effects of various parameters such as solvent, base, and amount of catalyst were studied. The reaction is suitable for a wide variety of substituted aryl halides with different electronic properties. Application of microwave irradiation improved the yields of the reactions and reduced the reaction times from hours to minutes.