Abstract: A series of Pd/C catalysts were prepared by impregnation-reduction method, and used for the disproportionation of Masson's pine rosin. Factors influencing Pd/C catalytic activity such as particle size, carrier pretreatment and reduction condition were studied. Results showed that the Pd/C catalyst prepard from activated carbon(AC) treated with complex oxidants(10% H₂O₂ and 1% oxidant G )can increase the utilization rate of palladium up to 96.4% and dehydroabietic acid up to 68.4%.Through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), the distribution of valency of Pd in Pd/C were investigated. When HCHO amount exceeded one fold, about 44.4% Pd²⁺ was reduced to metallic Pd with the formation of 24.9% Pd⁴⁺ found in Pd/C catalyst. The activity of catalyst prepared under the optimized experiment conditions:obviously exceeds counterparts of other companies. Furthermore, this catalyst has been produced industrially.

Key words: Pd/C catalyst, disproportionated rosin, activated carbon, pretreatment