Supported transition metal nanoparticle catalyst and use thereof as a hydrogenation catalyst

A catalyst comprising:

• transition metal nanoparticles wherein the transition metal of the nanoparticles is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, and alloys of two or more thereof,
• stabilizing ligands comprising a cationic surfactant, and
• a support material selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica-alumina, aluminosilicates, carbon, and mixtures of two or more thereof,
• wherein at least a portion of the stabilizing ligands are adsorbed on the surface of the transition metal nanoparticles so as to form stabilized transition metal nanoparticles, wherein the stabilized transition metal nanoparticles are impregnated into the support material, and wherein the catalyst displays a molar ratio of the stabilizing ligands to the transition metal in the nanoparticles calculated as the element, wherein the molar ratio is comprised in the range of from 3 to 4.5.