A catalyst containing an active phase comprising at least one metal of group VIIIB selected from cobalt, nickel, ruthenium and iron deposited on a support containing silica, alumina and at least one simple spinel MAl2O4 or mixed spinel MxM′(1−x)Al2O4) which is or is not partial, wherein M and M′ are separate metals selected from the group formed by magnesium, copper, cobalt, nickel, tin, zinc, lithium, calcium, caesium, sodium, potassium, iron and manganese, and wherein x is between 0 and 1, the values 0 and 1 being themselves excluded, characterised in that said active phase further comprises boron, the boron content being between 0.001% and 0.5% by weight with respect to the total weight of the catalyst, the value 0.5 being itself excluded.