Conventional MOCVD method has been explored to prepare Pd supported catalysts. Pd and PdO phases were found on the surface of the support. Small Pd particles about 1 to 3 nm and dispersions up to 19%were obtained by MOCVD. TPR results indicated that several surface Pd compounds are reduced. At temperatures below 25°C, PdO, the main compound, is completely converted to metallic Pd which forms hydrides. At higher temperatures, between 500 to 800°C, the reduction peaks could be attributed to Pd-support interactions and a strong support dehydroxylation. All catalysts were inactive in benzene hydrogenation and a significant conversion was only detected a temperatures above 100 °C. This was explained by the reduced accessibility of Pd sites imposed by the carbon contamination and by the Pd-Al2O3 interactions.
