An investigation into the ability of metals to dechlorinate certain toxic volatile organic compounds has resulted in the use of palladium in potentiostatic and galvanostatic electrolysis to effect dechlorination. Dechlorination of 4-chlorophenol to phenol was effected by running the compound through an electrolytic process wherein the electrodes were coated with palladium. This innovation allowed for faster dissociation of chlorine from the compound. This may be due to the ability of palladium to intercalate hydrogen in its lattice. The hydrogen being responsible in binding the organic base and liberating chlorine as an ion in the solution.