Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation of an unsaturated hydrocarbon feedstock comprising: (1) preparing a granular material, wherein the particles of the granular material comprise a hydrogenation catalyst, or a precursor thereof, and one or more organic compounds, wherein the one or more organic compounds comprise one or more carboxlic acid and/or one or more ester and/or one or more ether moieties; (2) providing an unsaturated hydrocarbon feedstock; (3) preparing a mixture comprising the granular material obtained in (1), the unsaturated hydrocarbon feedstock provided in (2), hydrogen gas, and optionally a solvent system; (4) heating the mixture prepared in (3) to a temperature in the range of from 210 to 360° C. for hydrogenating the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supported nickel catalyst precursor comprising Ni, Si, Al, and O, wherein the catalyst precursor displays a specific total intrusion volume determined via Hg intrusion. Further, the present invention relates to a process for preparing said catalyst precursor. Yet further, the present invention relates to a supported nickel catalyst prepared from the said catalyst precursor. In addition thereto, the present invention relates to a use thereof in a hydrogenation reaction of aromatic compounds.