The transformation of cis- and trans-2,3-dimethyloxiranes on a Pd/SiO2 catalyst, leading to the formation of 2-butanone and 2-butanol, was studied in hydrogen and deuterium atmosphere. The effect of hydrogen pressure (1.3-100 kPa) and temperature (323-423 K) on the reaction rate was also measured. The transformation of the two stereoisomers involves different mechanisms. In the case of the cis-isomer, hydrogen participates in the cleavage of the C-O bond and different surface species belong to the two products. In the case of the trans-isomer, ring opening by hydrogen (the formation of 2-butanol) is less significant and the main reaction is intramolecular hydrogen migration leading to the formation of 2-butanone. Considering the geometry of the adsorbed species, cis-2,3-dimethyloxirane is most probably adsorbed on the surface of the Pd catalyst in a planar manner, while the adsorption of the trans-isomer is intermediate between edgewise and planar adsorption mode.