This invention relates to improved catalytic compositions suited for use in
hydrogenation processes and to an improved process for hydrogenating organic compounds
as in amination of alcohols or hydrogenation of nitrile and nitro groups to the
amine using the catalyst. The catalytic composition is more particularly an improvement
in nickel catalysts promoted with palladium carried on a support. The improvement
resides in including a promoting effect of a metal M and/or its oxide, selected
from Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ag, typically from about 0.01 to 10% by weight of the support.
