The reaction of allylic carbonates with various acyclic and cyclic carbonucleophiles is catalyzed by the system Pd(OAc)(2) and P(C6H4-m-SO3Na)(3) (or tppts) in a two-phase liquid medium H2O-nitrile, the activity of the catalyst depending mainly on the nature of the nitrile, the temperature of the reaction and the ratio palladium/tppts. The same system Pd(OAc)(2) and P(C6H4-m-SO3Na)(3) supported on silica catalyzes also this reaction. The formation of the active palladium species in the two cases is followed by P-31 NMR spectroscopy and discussed. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.