Ni-Al alloys were prepd. by smelting the components, annealed at 600-1250 degrees C, leached with aq. NaOH soln. at 80-100 degrees C and then tested for catalytic activity in hydrogenation of maleic acid. The increase in the Ni:Al mass ratio resulted in a decrease both in the activity of the catalyst and in the initial electrochem. potential value of the indicator electrode.