Nitro-compounds are hydrogenated with an activated Ni catalyst whose Ni/Al alloy also contained one or more elements from the list of Cu, Ag and Au prior to activation. In combination with the Group IB elements mentioned above, this catalyst can also be doped with other elements via their addition to the Ni/Al alloy prior to activation and/or they can be adsorbed onto the surface of the catalyst either during or after the activation of the alloy. The suitable doping elements for the alloy prior to activation in combination with the group IB elements mentioned above are one or more of the elements from the list of Mg, Ti, Ce, Cr, V, Mo, W, Mn, Re, Fe, Co, Tr, Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt and Bi. The suitable doping elements that may be adsorbed onto the surface of the catalyst that was previously doped in the alloy prior to activation with the group IB elements mentioned above are one or more elements from the list Mg, Ca, Ba, Ti, Ce, V, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Re, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Ni, Cu, Ag, Au and Bi.