Palladium(II) chloride, also known as palladium dichloride and palladous chloride, are the chemical compounds with the formula PdCl₂. PdCl₂ is a common starting material in palladium chemistry – palladium-based catalysts are of particular value in organic synthesis. It is prepared by the reaction of chlorine with palladium metal at high temperatures.

Two forms of PdCl₂ are known, denoted α and β. In both forms, the palladium centres adopt a square-planar coordination geometry that is characteristic of Pd(II). Furthermore, in both forms, the Pd(II) centers are linked by μ₂-chloride bridges. The α-form of PdCl₂ is a polymer, consisting of "infinite" slabs or chains. The β-form of PdCl₂ is molecular, consisting of an octahedral cluster of six Pd atoms. Each of the twelve edges of this octahedron is spanned by Cl⁻. PtCl₂ adopts similar structures, whereas NiCl₂ adopts the CdCl₂ motif, featuring hexacoordinated Ni(II).

Two further polymorphs, γ-PdCl₂ and δ-PdCl₂, have been reported and show negative thermal expansion. The high-temperature δ form contains planar ribbons of edge-connected PdCl₄ squares, like α-PdCl₂. The low-temperature γ form has corrugated layers of corner-connected PdCl₄ squares.

Palladium(II) chloride is prepared by dissolving palladium metal in aqua regia or hydrochloric acid in the presence of chlorine. Alternatively, it may be prepared by heating palladium sponge metal with chlorine gas at 500 °C.

Palladium(II) chloride is a common starting point in the synthesis of other palladium compounds. It is not particularly soluble in water or non-coordinating solvents, so the first step in its utilization is often the preparation of labile but soluble Lewis base adducts, such as bis(benzonitrile)palladium dichloride and bis(acetonitrile)palladium dichloride. These complexes are prepared by treating PdCl₂ with hot solutions of the nitriles:

Although occasionally recommended, inert-gas techniques are not necessary if the complex is to be used in situ. As an example, bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride may be prepared from palladium(II) chloride by reacting it with triphenylphosphine in benzonitrile:

Further reduction in the presence of more triphenylphosphine gives tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0); the second reaction may be carried out without purifying the intermediate dichloride:

Alternatively, palladium(II) chloride may be solubilized in the form of the tetrachloropalladate(II) anion, such as in sodium tetrachloropalladate, by reacting with the appropriate alkali metal chloride in water: Palladium(II) chloride is insoluble in water, whereas the product dissolves: