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.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for the selective hydrogenation of benzene in a solution of gasoline and other aromatic organic compounds. The process includes the steps of carrying out the catalytic hydrogenation in a hydrogenation zone at a temperature of about 45.degree. to about 250.degree. C. at a pressure of about 200 psi to about 500 psi in a biphasic system of aqueous and organic liquids the hydrogenation catalyst being water-soluble. The organic liquid is removed from the hydrogenation zone. At least a catalytic amount of the catalyst is retained in the hydrogenation zone. The catalyst above described is also a facet of this invention.