A selective hydrogenation of carbon-carbon double bond of α, β-unsaturated ketones are obtained when a mixture of limonene, α, β-unsaturated ketone and 10% Pd/C is refluxed with vigorous stirring for 15–45 min. The best results are obtained when a molar ratio limonene: α, β-unsaturated ketone of 3: 1 and 4 molar% palladium/ketone are used. The stereoselectivity is similar to the results obtained when H2 and Pd/C have been used in ...