Multiphase hydrodechlorination of 1,4-dichlorobenzene, hexachlorobenzene and 2,4,8-trichlorodibenzofurane was studied in the presence of Pd/C and Pd-Fe/C catalysts. The effect of the addition of a second metal to Pd/C was investigated. The content (1-12 wt.%) and ratio of metals were varied to determine their influence on catalytic activity, which was demonstrated to strongly depend on metal ratio in multiphase hydrodechlorination systems. Metal-metal interaction and structure of bimetallic particles were studied by magnetic measurements and TPR analysis. Bimetallic particles consisted of Pd-enriched PdFe alloy. Also Fe2O3 was presented on the surface of catalyst. Based on catalytic performance, magnetic measurements, and TPR, two aspects of the influence of iron addition were considered: (1) formation of Pd-enriched PdFe alloy, which resulted in an increase of catalytic activity of bimetallic catalysts in comparison with Pd/C; (2) formation of FeCl3 under HDC reaction condition, which prevented complete chlorination of palladium, possibly leading to its deactivation. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.