Production of catalytically active activated carbons

The invention is directed to a method for preparing catalytically active activated carbon, to catalytically active activate carbon obtainable by the method, and to the use of the catalytically active activated carbon. The method of the invention method comprises the steps of: i) mixing charcoal with one or more organic nitrogen-containing compounds, said nitrogen-containing compounds comprising, next to a first nitrogen atom, at least two or more further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, wherein said further heteroatoms have a lone pair; ii) drying the mixture obtained in step i); iii) activating the dried mixture using steam, thereby producing catalytically active activated carbon.