Abstract: A novel catalyst has been provided for the selective hydrogenation of benzene in gasoline. The catalyst mixture comprises a water-soluble, organo-metallic, selective benzene hydrogenation catalyst comprising catalytically-active mixture of (A) M[L].sub.x [X].sub.y wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, La and Ce; L is an aromatic hydrocarbon, e.g., benzene, diphenyl, etc., or a diaromatic hydrocarbon, e.g., naphthalene; X is a halogen; x is an integer from 1 to 10 inclusive; and y is an integer from 1 to 10 inclusive; and (B) tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I)halide or tris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(I)halide. In use the process comprises admixing the gasoline with water. The above-identified water-soluble, organo-metallic selective benzene hydrogenation catalyst mixture is then added. A catalytic hydrogenation is then carried out in a hydrogenation zone at a temperature of about 150.degree. to about 245.degree. C.