Abstract: Process for the hydrogenation of carbonyl-containing compounds at mild conditions of temperature and pressure to produce alcohols or amines is disclosed, employing palladium on zinc oxide catalysts. A method for the preparation of the palladium on zinc oxide catalysts useful for the desired reductive conversion is also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for the hydrogenation of carbonyl-containing compouds at mild conditions of temperature and pressure to produce alcohols or amines is disclosed, employing catalysts comprising palladium and zinc on an inorganic support. A method for the preparation of these supported catalysts which are useful for the desired reductive conversion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for selective dehydrogenation of a compound, comprising contacting a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein each R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.20) cycloalkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.20) aryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.20) alkylaryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.20) aralkyl groups, as well as substituted (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.20) cycloalkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.20) aryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.20) aralkyl and (C.sub.7 -C.sub.20) arylalkyl moieties, optionally further substituted with --OR, wherein R is R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 or R.sup.4 ; and wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be joined as part of a ring structure, at a dehydrogenation temperature in the presence of a catalyst comprising about 0.01 wt %-19.9 wt % Pd and about 0.01 wt %-19.9 wt % Cu on a carbon support, wherein the total amount of (Pd+Cu) on the support is about 0.