Palladium 5% on Carbon, EA type (TCI P3294) is a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst in which 5% palladium is dispersed on an activated carbon support. It is supplied wet, with a water content of approximately 55%. Like palladium on carbon (Pd/C) catalysts in general, it is a mainstay of organic synthesis laboratories. Chemists use it to saturate double bonds, reduce nitro and imine groups, and remove protecting groups by hydrogenolysis. The listed CAS number, 7440-05-3, refers to elemental palladium, the active component of the catalyst.
The EA type is one of several variants in TCI's 5% Pd/C range, alongside the AD and EB types. The types can differ in the character of the carbon support and in how the palladium is distributed. These differences can affect catalytic activity, selectivity and how easily the catalyst can be filtered off after a reaction. TCI's official technical data is the best reference for choosing the right type for a given transformation. Because it is wetted with about 55% water, this catalyst is much safer to handle than dry Pd/C, which can be pyrophoric when it comes into contact with organic solvent vapours.
Pharmaceutical research, organic chemistry and catalysis laboratories in Indonesia often need more than one type of Pd/C, because the best catalyst for one substrate is not always the best for another. Research groups at universities and in industrial R&D use catalysts such as this for multistep synthesis, intermediate preparation and methodology studies. When the same catalyst type is used consistently across experiments, results are easier to reproduce and compare, and scaling up from screening reactions to preparative batches becomes more predictable.
Advantages (TCI brochure)
- Neutral to slightly acidic, egg-shelled supported type catalyst.
- Suitable for reactions under acidic conditions.
TCI brochures (PDF)
- Precious Metal Catalysts on Activated Carbon for Heterogeneous Selective Hydrogenation 2025-03-14 · p. 1
- Hydrogenation Catalysts 2025-11-10 · p. 4
- Transition Metal Catalysts 2026-04-10 · p. 13
Related TCI products
- TCI P3303 7440-05-3 Palladium 75% on Carbon, PH type (wetted with ca 53% Water)
- TCI P3302 7440-05-3 Palladium 5% on Carbon, PH type (wetted with ca 55% Water)
- TCI P3301 7440-05-3 Palladium 10% on Carbon, MA type (wetted with ca 53% Water)
- TCI P3300 7440-05-3 Palladium 5% on Carbon, M type (wetted with ca 55% Water)
- TCI P3299 7440-05-3 Palladium 10% on Carbon, M type (wetted with ca 55% Water)
- TCI P3298 7440-05-3 Palladium 5% on Carbon, LB type (wetted with ca 55% Water)
- Hydrogenation of carbon–carbon double and triple bonds: the dispersed palladium on carbon lets chemists saturate unsaturated bonds efficiently under a hydrogen atmosphere in common solvents.
- Reduction of nitro groups to amines: Pd/C is widely used to convert aromatic and aliphatic nitro compounds into amines, which are key intermediates in pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis.
- Reduction of imines and reductive amination: the catalyst helps hydrogenate C=N bonds, so secondary and tertiary amines can be prepared from carbonyl compounds and amines in synthetic routes.
- Removal of protecting groups by hydrogenolysis: Pd/C is a standard choice for cleaving benzyl ethers, benzyl esters and Cbz carbamates under mild conditions without harsh reagents.
- Catalyst comparison and method development: as one of TCI's EA, AD and EB 5% Pd/C types, it lets researchers compare activity, selectivity and filtration behaviour when optimising a reaction.
From the TCI brochure
- Aromatic nucleus
- Hydrogenolysis
- Hydrogenative dehydrations
- Hydrogenation of aromatic nucleus
| Brand | TCI (product code P3294) |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 7440-05-3 (refers to palladium, the active component) |
| Molecular formula | — |
| Purity | — |
| Category | Chemistry > Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry > Hydrogenation [Catalysis] |
| Pack sizes | see TCI's official product information for available pack sizes and recommended storage conditions |
| Physical form | wet catalyst containing approximately 55% water |
| Storage | — |
- Composition: 5% palladium on an activated carbon support, EA type
Data from the TCI brochure
| Catalyst loading (benzoic acid to cyclohexanecarboxylic acid example) | 3.6% (H2 3 MPa, cyclohexanone, 150°C, 100 min) |
|---|---|
| Catalyst loading (pyridine to piperidine example) | 3% (H2 3 MPa, EtOH, 120°C, 100 min) |
Source: TCI brochure RR208 (2025-03-14)
Keep the catalyst in its original, tightly closed container in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat, ignition sources and oxidising agents. Do not let the catalyst dry out, because its water content is what greatly reduces the fire risk. Weigh and transfer it in a fume hood, and keep it away from flammable solvent vapours wherever possible. Purge the reaction vessel with an inert gas before introducing hydrogen. Spent catalyst collected by filtration should be kept wet with water and never left to dry on filter paper, then disposed of according to institutional procedures. Wear a lab coat, safety glasses and gloves, and follow the safety data sheet supplied by TCI.
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