Selective hydrogenation catalyst comprising a particular distribution of nickel and molybdenum

A selective hydrogenation catalyst comprising:

• an active phase containing at least one group VIB metal and at least one group VIII metal, and a porous support containing at least alumina, the group VIB metal content, measured in oxide form, being between 1 and 18% by weight relative to the total weight of the catalyst, the group VIII metal content of the active phase, measured in oxide form, being between 1 and 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the catalyst, wherein the at least one group VIB metal and at least one group VIII metal are deposited on the porous support by impregnation and following impregnation the impregnated porous support is then matured at a temperature below 50° C. for a period of between 0.5 hour to 6 hours,
• wherein the molar ratio between said group VIII metal of the active phase and said group VIB metal of the active phase is between 1.5 and 2.5 mol/mol, said group VIII metal is homogeneously distributed in the porous support with a distribution coefficient R of between 0.8 and 1.2, measured using a Castaing microprobe, said group VIB metal is distributed at the periphery of the porous support with a distribution coefficient R of less than 0.8, and the specific surface area of the catalyst is between 110 m2/g and 190 m2/g;
• and
• wherein the support also comprises at least one spinel MA12O4 where M is a metal selected from nickel and cobalt, the molar ratio between metal M of the support and the group VIB metal of the active phase is between 0.5 and 1.5 mol/mol, the molar ratio between metal M of the support and the group VIII metal of the active phase is between 0.3 and 1.5 mol/mol, and the molar ratio between the sum of the contents of the metal M and of the group VIII metal of the active phase relative to the content of group VIB metal is between 2.2 and 3.2 mol/mol.