Conversion of alkyl and aryl hydroxy compounds producing aldehyde, alcohol and ketone using manganese oxide/nickel oxide/magnesium oxide catalysts

A process for the dehydrogenation of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of alkyl and cycloalkyl hydroxy compounds, on the hydrogenation of an aryl hydroxy compound, which comprises subjecting said compound to the action of hydrogen under dehydrogenation conditions or hydrogenation conditions, respectively, in the presence of a catalyst comprising the oxides of manganese, nickel and magnesium, wherein the amounts of the oxides, expressed as free metals present, are 5-30, wt. % manganese, 2-25 wt. % nickel, and 50-90 wt. % magnesium.