The kinetics of the liquid-phase catalytic hydrogenation of p-chlorobenzophenone have been investigated over a 5% Pd/C catalyst. The effects of hydrogen partial pressure (800-2200 kPa), catalyst loading (0.4-1.6 gm dm(-3)), p-chlorobenzophenone concentration (0.37-1.5 mol dm(-3)), and temperature (303-313 K) were studied. A stirring speed > 20 rps has no effect on the initial rate of reaction. Effects of various catalysts (Pd/C, Pd/BaSO4, Pd/CaCO3, Pt/C, Raney nickel) and solvents (2-propanol, methanol, dimethylformamide, toluene, xylene, hexane) on the hydrogenation of p-chlorobenzophenone were also investigated. The reaction was found to be first order with respect to hydrogen partial pressure and catalyst loading, and zero order with respect to p-chlorobenzophenone concentration. Several Langmuir-Hinshelwood type models were considered and the experimental data fitted to a model involving reaction between adsorbed p-chlorobenzophenone and hydrogen in the liquid phase.