Noble metal, particularly ruthenium, Raney catalysts which can hydrogenate (1) aromaticity-exhibiting ring portions of organic compounds, (2) carboxylic acids and their ester portions (carbonyl ester groups), (3) ring portions and carboxylic acid or their ester groups in compounds having such ring portions and carboxylic acid or their ester portions, and (4) ring portions and nitrile groups of aromatic nitrile compounds and methods for the preparation of corresponding hydrogenated compounds. The methods allow preparation of hydrogenated compounds having hydrogenated aromatic ring portions, hydrogenated carbonyl ester groups, hydrogenated aromatic ring and carbonyl ester groups, or hydrogenated aromatic rings and nitrile groups under milder hydrogen pressure and temperature conditions than the conventional catalysts.