Construction of Pd(II)-poly(4-vinylpyridine) multilayers on quartz substrate surface as heterogeneous catalyst for selective hydrogenation of aromatic conjugated alkenes

► Pd-PVP multilayers were prepared by layer-by-layer method. ► Immobilized Pd-PVP multilayers acted as heterogeneous catalyst. ► Hydrogen used as a reductant for the connectors of Pd(II) ions as well as hydrogen source for the hydrogenation reactions of alkenes. ► The heterogeneous catalyst had advantages of high stability, good recyclability and easy separation.