Catalyst for hydrogenolysis of benzyl groups and epoxides; used to reduce nitro compounds to amines and as dehydrogenation reagent.  Palladium on carbon is used for catalytic hydrogenations in organic synthesis. Examples include reductive amination, carbonyl reduction, nitro compound reduction, the reduction of imines and Schiff bases and debenzylation reactions.

Application

Hydrogenolysis of benzyl-nitrogen bondsPalladium hydroxide, Pd 20% on carbon, nominally 50% water is used as a catalyst for hydrogenolysis of benzyl groups and epoxides. It is used to reduce nitro compounds to amines. It acts as a dehydrogenation reagent as well as a useful reagent for debenzylation.