Abstract: A carbon-based catalyst which has a carbon content of >65% by weight and a content of substantially insoluble oxides of the metals Co, Fe, Ni, Cr, V, Mo, W, Cu, Mn and Ti of, in all, 0.1% by weight and a nitrogen content of 0.2 to 5% by weight. These catalysts are produced by a process wherein an organic material comprising unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds is pyrolyzed in a first step via the liquid phase stage, the product formed is size-reduced after cooling, mixed with substantially insoluble metal oxides and/or compounds forming substantially insoluble metal oxides together with binders and, optionally, water and the resulting mixture subjected to forming and heat treatment. The catalysts are useful in various gas-solid reactions more especially for the reductive destruction of nitrogen oxides in smoke gases.