Schiff-base modified Pd nanoparticles (NPs) supported on silica with an average size of ca. 2 nm have been synthesized via a one-pot aldimine condensation followed by impregnation-reduction of a palladium precursor, and the sample exhibits an excellent catalytic activity and selectivity in hydrogenation of 2-butyne-1,4-diol (BYD) to 2-butene-1,4-diol (BED). Under the mild reaction conditions (50 degrees C, 2 MPa H-2, and 4 h) and additive-free, 95.2% BYD conversion has been achieved with ca. 100% BED selectivity over the Pd/SiO2-Schiff catalyst, and the Pd/SiO2-Schiff catalyst presents an excellent catalytic stability. The above results are much better than that of commercial Lindlar catalyst, and the improved catalytic performance is attributed to the strong metal-support interaction derived from the coordination of nitrogen sites (Schiff-base) to Pd NPs, based on catalyst characterization results. Graphic Featured by additive-free and high selectivity, hydrogenation of 2-butyne-1,4-diol to 2-butene-1,4-diol over the Pd/SiO2-Schiff catalyst has been developed, aiming for green production of fine chemicals. [GRAPHICS] .