Abstract: Simple and environment friendly Pd-containing poly (vinyl alcohol) PVA catalysts were prepared by casting from their aqueous solutions. A series of PVA containing different ratios of Pd was characterized by IR, electronic spectroscopy, thermal analysis, XRD, Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The binding of Pd to the polymer matrix and its effect on the polymer structure was studied by means of XRD, XPS and thermal analysis. The catalytic activity of the Pd-based catalysts towards the oxidation of polyphenol trihydroxy benzene was investigated and showed a significant catalytic activity in case of the polymer sample containing the lowest Pd concentration (A1). The oxidation mechanism was proposed. Kojic acid was used to inhibit the oxidation reaction and it has been observed to be a non competitive inhibitor.