Abstract: A process for preparing aromatic or heteroaromatic hydroxylamines of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is an unsubstituted or substituted aryl radical or an unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl radical from the pyridine or quinoline groups, by hydrogenation of nitro compounds of the general formula IIR.sup.1 --NO.sub.2 (II)where R.sup.1 has the meaning indicated above, in the presence of a platinum catalyst on an activated carbon support or in the presence of a palladium catalyst doped with sulfur or selenium on an activated carbon support, by carrying out the reaction in the presence of a nitrogen-substituted morpholine compound of the general formula III ##STR2## R.sup.2 being alkyl radicals having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and R.sup.3 to R.sup.10 being hydrogen atoms or alkyl radicals having 1 to 5 carbon atoms is described.