Ni-Co-Cu catalysts supported on pseudoboehmite-derived Al2O3 were developed for efficient hydrogenation of organic functional groups: CN and NO2 associated with benzene as well as -C C- butynediol. Factors such as thermo-treatment of pseudoboehmite. Ni loading, Cu and Co content, and catalyst operating parameters were systematically studied. Among the catalysts, 20%Ni-3%Cu-5%Co/Al2O3 performed the best, showing 100% feed conversion and 84-99.8% selectivity of target products. Techniques such as N-2 sorption measurement, scanning electron microscope,, hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction and desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and in situ X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the catalysts. The superior performance of the catalyst can be attributed to synergetic interaction among the Ni-Cu-Co constitutes as well as enhancement of Ni2+ reduction and Ni-0 dispersion that are resulted due to the co-presence of Cu and Co. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.