A green heterogeneous catalyst for Heck reaction-chitosan-immobilized palladium complex was prepared. The catalyst exhibits high activity and stereoselectivity under the moderate reaction conditions. The catalyst can be separated easily from the reaction mixture and reused after washing. Under the suitable reaction conditions, the cross-coupling of iodobenzene (ArI) with acrylic acid (AA) or acrylate can be achieved 93.3% or 99% yield of trans-cinnamic acid or trans-cinnamic ester. The catalyst exhibits high activity and stereoselectivity under the moderate reaction conditions. The catalyst can be separated easily from the reaction mixture and reused after washing. Under the suitable reaction conditions, the cross-coupling of iodobenzene (ArI) with acrylic acid (AA) or acrylate can be achieved 93.3% or 99% yield of trans-cinnamic acid or trans-cinnamic ester.