Cyclohexanone is an important intermediate in the manufacture of polyamides in chemical industry, but direct selective hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone under mild conditions is a challenge. Hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone has been investigated in the presence of the composite catalytic system of Pd/C-heteropoly acid. 100% conversion of phenol and 93.6% selectivity of cyclohexanone were achieved within 3h under 80 degrees C and 1.0MPa hydrogen pressure. It has been found that a synergetic effect of Pd/C and heteropoly acid enhanced the catalytic performance of the composite catalytic system which suppressed the hydrogenation of cyclohexanone to cyclohexanol. [GRAPHICS] .