The effect of palladium on the performance of Cr/ZnO catalyst was investigated for the synthesis of methanol from synthesis gas. Hydrogen adsorption on the Pd-Cr/ZnO well fits the equation combination of Langmuir isotherm equation and Freundilich isotherm equation while CO adsorption well fits Freundilich model. Addition of palladium in Cr/ZnO promoted the activity and selectivity of methanol synthesis. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.