A novel, efficient and eco-friendly PdMCM-41 catalyst is put forward for the hydrodehalogenation of aryl halides, reduction of nitroarenes and reductive cleavage of azo compounds by catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) method. The results indicate that the transformations occur in elegant and rapid manner with excellent yields. Furthermore, the catalyst can easily be recovered and reused without practically affecting the yields for up to three cycles. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.