Bifunctional catalysts Pd/ASA-Al2O3, Pd/Y-ASA-Al2O3, Pd/Beta-ASA-Al2O3, Pd/ZSM-23-ASA-Al2O3 were prepared. Catalysts were characterized by FTIR of adsorbed CO, nitrogen adsorption and CO chemisorption. Average sizes of palladium particles in the catalysts were found to be 1.2-2.9 nm. Zeolite-based catalysts contained stronger Bronsted acidic sites than amorphous silica-alumina (ASA) based catalyst Pd/ASA-Al2O3. Catalysts were tested in hydroconversion of hydrocracker bottom (HCB). Hydrocracking activities of Pd/Y-ASA-Al2O3 and Pd/Beta-ASA-Al2O3 catalysts were found to be significantly higher than that of Pd/ASA-Al2O3 and Pd/ZSM-23-ASA-Al2O3 catalysts. Conversion of 80% of HCB was achieved for catalysts with zeolites beta and Y at 250 degrees C. It was found that selectivity to middle distillates increases in following order: Pd/ZSM-23-ASA-Al2O3 < Pd/Beta-ASA-Al2O3 < Pd/Y-ASA-Al2O3 < Pd/ASA-Al2O3. The highest yield of middle distillates was achieved for Pd/ASA-A1203 catalyst at 370 degrees C. Ratio of hydroisomerization to hydrocracking activity was found to increase in the following order of catalysts: Pd/Y-ASA-Al2O3 < PclIASA-Al2O3 < Pd/Beta-ASA-Al2O3 < Pd/ZSM-23-ASA-Al2O3. Middle distillate with pour and cloud points of -61.5 and -62.5 degrees C, respectively, was obtained at 240 degrees C with 31.3 wt.% yield using Pd/Beta-ASA-Al2O3 catalyst. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.