New thioether-phosphanes 2-RSC6H4CH2PPh2(RS-PPh2: R = Me, tBu, Ph) and the corresponding complexes [PdCl2(MeS-PPh2)], [PdCl2(tBuS-PPh2)], [PdCl2(PhS-PPh2)], [PdClMe(MeS-PPh2)] and [PtMe2(MeS-PPh2)] have been prepared, characterized and the X-ray crystal structures of all complexes determined. Whilst Pd(II) complexes of RS-PPh2 show low activity for CO/ethene copolymerisation, the complexes [PdCl2(RS-PPh2)] have been found to be very efficient for the Heck arylation of n-butylacrylate with bromobenzene under aerobic conditions.