TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The selective hydrogenation reaction is carried out at 100-150 degrees C, and at a pressure of 150-250 psig. The method (I) further comprises diluting the test catalyst and reference catalyst with a catalyst surface area diluent, where the catalyst surface area diluent is alumina and the catalyst support is a particulate support. Testing is performed using a liquid phase reactant stream comprising 1-5 wt.% of acetylene dissolved in n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. In the method (II) the aqueous solution is an aqueous solution of the nitrate salt of the promoter, and the reduction is carried out at 400-420 degrees C for at least 1 hour, preferably at 100 degrees C for 2 hours. The method (II) further comprises impregnating the carrier by incipient wetness impregnation with a solution comprising a metal of group VIII metals and their combinations, to deposit the metal on the carrier in a finished concentration of 0.1-5 wt.%, where the impregnation steps are performed simultaneously. Preferred Components: The promoter is: of a group IIIA, IIB and/or VIIB metals; and manganese, zinc (both preferred), indium and/or gallium. The carrier is a group VIII metal disposed on a support, where the support is particulate alumina. The finished concentration of the group VIII metal (palladium) is 0.1-10 wt.%, preferably 0.2-0.5 wt.%. EXAMPLE - Catalyst (0.3 wt.% palladium and 0.26 wt.% of gallium/alumina) (3 cm3) was diluted with inert low surface area alumina (6 cm3) (alundum as a catalyst surface area diluent), and placed in the center section of the reactor. A liquid reactant comprised of n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone containing dissolved acetylene (4.2 wt.%) was passed into the reactor with a flow rate of 18 ml/hour along with a hydrogen:carbon monoxide gas (2:1) mixture and the hydrogen:acetylene gas (1.56:1) mixture. The reaction was operated at specific temperature and pressure, and the catalyst was screened for liquid-phase selective hydrogenation.