The methods for regulating the physico-chemical and catalytic properties of Pd/C compositions by variation of their synthesis conditions were reviewed. The effect of the nature of carbon support, the composition of palladium precursor and its reduction conditions, the addition of a second active metal on the formation of palladium sites, their dispersion, electronic state, and catalytic properties in practically important hydrogenation reactions are demonstrated using the results obtained by the authors. The data may be useful for the development of Pd/C catalysts having high activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation reactions of polyfunctional organic compounds.