Alumina-supported Pd-Fe mono- and bimetallic catalysts have been prepared by microwave irradiation and by conventional calcination methods. The catalysts were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and nitrogen adsorption measurements. Hydrogen chemisorption measurements were performed after low-and high-temperature reduction (LTR and HTR) of the catalyst. Hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene was carried out on the reduced catalysts. Microwave heating changed the crystallite size and the susceptibility of the catalysts to alloy formation, with a resultant increase in the activity of the reduced catalysts for the hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene.