Pd/C catalysts doped with cerium oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decarboxylation in the presence of cetylsulfonyl acetate, and used in the hydrogenation of o-chloronitrobenzene to give high yields of 2,2'-dichlorohydrazobenzene. It was found that the stability and activity of the Pd/C catalysts were significantly affected by doping with the nanosized metal oxides. The chemical structure of 2,2'-dichlorohydrazobenzene was confirmed by H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.