Method for the hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds

A process for preparing an aromatic amine by hydrogenating an aromatic nitro compound, comprising:

• (I) providing a tetraamminecopper salt-based impregnated catalyst comprising a metal or metal oxide on a support as hydrogenation catalyst, where at least metallic or oxidic copper is present and the molar proportion of copper, based on all metals present on the catalyst, is 0.75 to 1, and where the support comprises discrete particles of silicon dioxide or silicon carbide having an average diameter of 4.0 mm to 15 mm;
• (II) optionally activating the hydrogenation catalyst by treating with hydrogen in the absence of the aromatic nitro compound;
• and
• (III) reacting the aromatic nitro compound with hydrogen in the presence of the optionally activated hydrogenation catalyst to obtain the aromatic amine,
• wherein the hydrogenation catalyst comprises a tetraamminecopper carbonate-based impregnated catalyst, and
• wherein the aromatic nitro compound is of the formula:
• in which R1 and R2 are hydrogen.