Dibenzylmercury was completely decomposed within 20 min in refluxing xylene in the presence of a catalytic amount of 5% palladium on carbon, giving mercury and dibenzyl. The generation of benzyl radicals was confirmed by the formation of 1,3-adduct to α-phenyl-N-benzylnitrone and 9,10-adduct to anthracene. Other alkylmercurials showed a similar but less satisfactory result.