| abstract |
In a process for preparing amines, in which at least one compound containing at least one nitro group is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a supported catalyst comprising, as catalytically active metal, nickel, if desired together with at least one metal of transition group I, V, VI and/or VIII, the reduced and stabilized supported catalyst comprises nickel crystallites having a bimodal nickel crystallite size distribution having maxima at 30-80 Angstrom and 81-150 Angstrom on a support comprising ZrO 2 , ZrO 2 --HfO 2 and/or SiO 2 --ZrO 2 and/or SiO 2 --ZrO 2 --HfO 2 and in the reduced and passivated state has a nickel content of 60-80 percent by mass, an SiO 2 content of 0-20 percent by mass, a ZrO 2 content of 0-40 percent by mass, an HfO 2 content of 0-4 percent by mass and after further reduction for one hour at 100° C. has a degree of reduction of at least 70%. |