Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst comprising 4% by weight of ruthenium (Ru) or more and a support material comprising silicon dioxide, wherein the nitrogen content of the catalyst after the last drying or calcination is in the range from 1 to 3% by weight, and also catalyst precursors thereof. The present patent application further relates to a process for producing an Ru-comprising catalyst, which comprises the steps impregnation, drying, calcination and reduction. In addition, the present patent application relates to a process for hydrogenating organic substances in the presence of catalysts of the invention or catalysts produced according to the invention, and also a process for producing downstream products from cycloaliphatic amines prepared according to the invention.