Palladium on carbon

Basic Information of Palladium on Carbon

CAS No.	7440-05-3 (Pd); support material varies
EC No.	231-115-6 (Pd)
Chemical Formula	Pd on activated carbon
Molecular Weight	106.42 g/mol (Pd basis)
Appearance	Black to dark gray powder
Odor	Odorless
Melting point	Not applicable (support decomposes; Pd melts at 1555 °C)
Boiling point	Not applicable
Density	approx. 0.4–0.8 g/cm³ (bulk density, loading-dependent)
Solubility	Insoluble in water and organic solvents
Nature (hazards)	Combustible solid (carbon support), may cause respiratory irritation when dust is inhaled, harmful if dust is inhaled in large quantities
RIDADR	Not regulated (non-hazardous for transport in many classifications; consult SDS for specific handling)
Chemical Structure

Primary Applications of Palladium on Carbon

Palladium on Carbon (Pd/C) is the benchmark heterogeneous catalyst for selective hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis in high-value chemical manufacturing. Dispersed palladium nanoparticles on high-surface-area activated carbon enable efficient hydrogen activation and substrate adsorption, forming highly active surface Pd–H species. It is widely employed in systems described in hydrogenation and supported palladium catalysis, where catalyst stability, recyclability, and operational simplicity are essential.

1. Hydrogenation of Alkenes & Alkynes
   Provides rapid and selective reduction of C=C and C≡C bonds in complex molecules, ideal for pharmaceutical intermediates and natural product derivatives with minimal over-reduction. Surface-mediated hydrogen transfer enables precise control of reaction selectivity.

2. Aromatic Ring Hydrogenation
   Efficiently saturates benzene rings and heterocycles under moderate pressure and temperature, producing cyclohexane-based building blocks for agrochemicals, polymers, and performance chemicals. Optimized Pd dispersion improves turnover frequency and substrate accessibility.

3. Nitro Group Reduction to Amines
   Delivers high-yield, clean conversion of aromatic and aliphatic nitro compounds to primary amines, a critical step in dyes, pesticides, and active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing. The heterogeneous nature allows simple filtration and catalyst recovery after reaction completion.

4. Debenzylation & Protecting Group Removal
   Enables selective hydrogenolysis of O-benzyl, N-Cbz, and related protecting groups with excellent functional group tolerance, essential for multi-step synthesis in medicinal chemistry. Controlled surface reactivity minimizes undesired side reactions.

5. Carbonyl & Imine Reduction
   Catalyzes selective hydrogenation of ketones, aldehydes, and imines to alcohols or amines, offering superior selectivity in the presence of other reducible groups. Reaction conditions can be tuned to balance rate and chemoselectivity.

6. Fine Chemical & API Manufacturing
   Widely applied in GMP processes for reduction and deprotection steps of active pharmaceutical ingredients, providing scalability, easy catalyst removal, and high reproducibility. Supported palladium systems facilitate consistent batch performance and streamlined downstream purification.

For a comprehensive overview of palladium material categories—including salts, oxides, supported catalysts, and organometallic systems across industrial sectors—refer to Palladium Compounds: Applications, Categories & Industrial Uses.

• Optimized Pd Dispersion & Activity
  Advanced impregnation technology ensures uniform Pd particle size and high active surface area for maximum turnover frequency and product selectivity.

• Custom Catalyst Formulations
  Tailored Pd loadings, support types, reduction states, and additives to precisely match your substrate, solvent system, and reaction conditions.

• Consistent Batch-to-Batch Reproducibility
  Rigorous in-house testing (ICP, BET, XRD, activity assays) guarantees low variation and predictable scale-up performance.

• Secure Palladium Supply Chain
  Responsible sourcing, strategic inventory, and transparent pricing mitigate market volatility and ensure uninterrupted availability.

• Technical & Regulatory Support
  Expert guidance on catalyst activation, poison mitigation, recycling, and full documentation (COA, REACH, SDS) for seamless integration into GMP and fine chemical operations.

Hazards Classification

• GHS Classification: Specific Target Organ Toxicity, Single Exposure (respiratory tract irritation) (Category 3); Combustible dust hazard; Aquatic Chronic (Category 3)

• Hazard Statements: H335: May cause respiratory irritation; H413: May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life

• UN Number: Not regulated

• Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for transport

• Packing Group: Not applicable