The thermochemical behavior of [Pd(acac)(2)] adsorbed onto different magnesium oxides has been studied under reducing conditions by means of the TPRD (temperature-programmed reductive decomposition) technique coupled to mass spectrometry. The thermal profiles of the different decomposition products have been rationalized in terms of chemical interactions with the support, and correlated with the catalytic properties in the dehydrocyclization reaction of n-heptane.The technique is then proposed to be a valid screening methodology for routine testing of catalytic batches without the need of running costly and time-consuming catalytic tests.