Transfer hydrogenolysis of 2-phenyl-2-propanol to isopropylene using formic acid as hydrogen donor was performed over the supported palladium, platinum and ruthenium catalysts. The hydrogen-donating abilities of various hydrogen donors and the effect of the pH value in a reaction medium were studied. It was found that Pd/C is an effective catalyst and formic acid is much better than formate salts and other agents of donating-hydrogen for the catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of 2-phenyl-2-propanol. The protons in a reaction medium have a promotive effect on the catalytic hydrogenolysis of 2-phenyl-2-propanol. At the reaction condition of using formic acid as hydrogen donor and the Pd/C catalyst at 80 degrees C for 4 h, the conversion of 2-phenyl-2-propanol and selectivity to isopropylbenzene reaches 95.2 and 98.4%, respectively. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.