Process for the catalytic hydrogenation of methylolalkanals of the general formula (I) where R<1 >and R<2 >are each, independently of one another, a further methylol group or an alkyl group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms or an aryl or aralkyl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms, in the liquid phase by means of hydrogen over a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the molar ratio between the used hydrogen and the methylolalkanal is larger than 1.