The hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone (eAQ) was performed over alumina, silica and carbon supported palladium catalysts. Present research is concentrated on the process of eAQ degradation and especially a role of the type of catalyst is examined. Degradation of eAQ in the catalytic experiments has been discussed on the basis of reaction pattern reported for the reduction of carbonyl groups in anthraquinone by standard procedures (Zn, Sn, NaBH4). Various by-products formed by degradation of hydroquinone (eAQH(2)) have been identified by GC-MS. They are the product of C-O hydrogenolysis such as 2-ethylanthrone (eAN, two isomers), 2-ethylanthracene (eANT) and the products of eAN hydrogenation (H(4)eAN, two isomers). Tautomerization of partially and fully saturated hydroquinones produces OXO-isorners [two isomers OXO-H-4(1,2) and OXO-H-8(1,2)]. Reduction of eAQ with NaBH4 gives 2-ethyl-9,10-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthraquinone, intermediate product in the consecutive reactions occurring during the hydrogenolysis of C-O and resulting in eAN. A difference in performance of 0.5% Pd/C, 0.5% Pd/SiO2 and 0.5% Pd/Al2O3 catalysts is related with their reactivity in degradation of eAQH(2). Much higher reactivity in the whole degradation process and especially in the formation of intermediate product exhibits alumina-supported catalyst. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.