The invention relates to compositions containinga) at least one organic polymer andb) a dibenzalacetone palladium complex of formula I ##STR1## which is homogeneously dissolved in said polymer but is not copolymerisable therewith, in which formula IR.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkoxy or unsubstituted or substituted phenyl,R.sup.2 has one of the meanings of R.sup.1 or is also an amino, nitro or cyano group, an --O--C.sub.m H.sub.2mn OR.sup.4 or --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.OR.sup.4 --CH.sub.2.OR.sup.5 radical or a halogen atom or a glycidyl ether radical,R.sup.3 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or the two groups R.sup.3 together form a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 polymethylene chain,R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 have one of the meanings of R.sup.1,q is a value from 1 to 3.5,m is a value from 2 to 6 andn is a value from 0 to 20, with the proviso that the composition does not contain a polymer with an olefinic double bond.Said compositions can be used for metal deposition without current or for producing conductive patterns.