A GROUP VII-B OR VIII METAL ON CARBON CATALYST IS STABILIZED BY HEATING THE CATALYST AT A TEMPERATURE OF FROM 500 TO 1200*F. IN ANON-OXIDIZING ATMOSPHERE. THE HEAT TREATED COMPOSITION IS PROVIDED WITH STABILIZED ACTIVITY AND IMPROVED CRUSH STRENGTH IN LOWTEMPERATURE CATALYTIC REACTIONS INVOLVING THE REDUCTION OF NITRATED OR OXYGENATED HYDROCARBONS TO AMINES AND ALCOHOLS WHERE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF BY-PRODUCT WATER IS FORMED AND IS PARTICULARLY SUITED FOR UTLIZATION AS A HYDROGENATION CATALYST SUCH AS IN THE SELECTIVE CONVERSION OF MONONITROPARAFFINS TO SECONDARY ALKYL PRIMARY AMINES.