Palladium(II) acetate-catalyzed Hecktype reactions have been performed from the arene 1 and alkenes (n-butyl acrylate, styrene) in acetic acid at room temperature, in the presence of a catalytic amount of benzoquinone or hydroquinone. The reactions have been made catalytic in benzoquinone [which is used to continuously oxidize the Pd(0) into to the active Pd(II) species able to activate the Ar À H bond] by the electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone, formed in the reaction, back to benzoquinone.