Method for hydrogenating aromatic compounds

A method comprising hydrogenating a mixture 2,4- and 2,6-diaminotoluene, in which the 2,4-diaminotoluene is present in a proportion of 70 to 90% by weight, and the 2,6-diaminotoluene is present in a proportion of 10 to 30% by weight, with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, wherein:

• the catalyst comprises ruthenium on a zirconium oxide support material;
• the zirconium oxide support material has a BET surface area of 50 to 100 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.1 to 0.9 cm3/g, and a tapped density of 700 to 1750 kg/m3;
• and
• the catalyst has a BET surface area of 50 to 100 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.1 to 0.9 cm3/g, and a tapped density of 700 to 1750 kg/m3.