The synthesis of 2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)-benzotriazole from 2-nitro-2′-hydroxy-5′-methylazobenzene over Pd/ γ-Al 2 O 3 in a fixed-bed reactor was investigated. Pd/γ-Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared by two methods and characterized by XRD, TEM, H 2 -TPR, and N 2 adsorption−desorption. Employed in the above reaction, the palladium catalyst impregnated in hydrochloric acid exhibited much better catalytic performance than that impregnated in ammonia−water, which was possibly attributed to the better dispersion of palladium crystals on γ-Al 2 O 3 . This result demonstrated that the preparation process of the catalyst was very important. Furthermore, the reaction parameters were optimized. Under the optimized conditions (toluene, NAB/triethylamine molar ratio 1:2, 60°C , 2.5 MPa hydrogen pressure, 0.23 h −1 liquid hourly space velocity), about 90% yield of 2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole was obtained. Finally, the time on stream performance of the catalyst was evaluated, and the reaction could proceed effectively over 200 h without deactivation of the catalyst.