Supported [Rh(COD)Cl]2 catalysts were prepared. The resulting catalysts were characterized by means of XPS, N2 adsorption-desorption and FTIR analysis methods. The hydrogenation reaction of beta-pinene was used as probe reactions to investigate the catalytic performance. The effects of carrier type, oxidant燞NO3 concentration and Rh-loading on catalytic properties were optimized in details. On this basis, the hydrogenation conditions were investigated by orthogonal爀xperiment, and the catalytic use of [Rh(COD)Cl]2/AC was measured as well. The experimental results indicated that the catalytic activity of [Rh(COD)Cl]2 catalysts supported on activated carbon was greatly improved. The catalyst showed optimal catalytic activities with 99.0% conversion of beta-pinene, 89.0% selectivity of cis-pinane and 88.9% yield of cis-pinane when the optimal conditions for catalyst preparation were carrier type of activated carbon, HNO3 concentration of 35% and Rh-loading of 5%. The [Rh(COD)Cl]2/AC remained high activities with 89.64% conversion of beta-pinene after being used for four times. The cause of deactivation of [Rh(COD)Cl]2/AC was that active component Rh was easy to lose in the running process.