CATALYST MODIFICATION WITH ALKALI METAL IONS, ALKALINE EARTH METAL IONS OR RARE EARTH METAL IONS IN THE CONTINUOUS LIQUID-PHASE HYDROGENATION OF NITRO COMPOUNDS

The present invention relates to a process for continuous hydrogenation of a nitro compound to the corresponding amine in a liquid reaction mixture comprising the nitro compound in the presence of a supported catalyst which comprises as the active component at least one element from groups 7 to 12 of the periodic table of the elements, wherein the hydrogenation is performed in the presence of at least one salt selected from the group consisting of the salts of the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and of the rare earth metals and to a supported catalyst for continuous hydrogenation of a nitro compound to the corresponding amine in a liquid reaction mixture comprising the nitro compound which comprises as the active component at least one element from groups 7 to 12 of the periodic table of the elements and one salt of the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or of the rare earth metals.