The present invention relates to 2,6-bis(aminomethyl)piperidine derivatives as such (in the following text abbreviated to “2,6-BAMP derivatives”) which are defined by the general formula (I) shown in the following text. In addition, the present invention relates to a process for preparing such 2,6-BAMP derivatives by hydrogenation of the corresponding 2,6-dicyanopiperidine derivatives (hereinafter abbreviated to “2,6-DCP derivatives”) in the presence of a catalyst. The present invention further provides for the use of the 2,6-BAMP derivatives of the invention as hardeners for epoxy resins, as intermediate in the preparation of diisocyanates, which play an important role in the production of polyurethanes, as starters in the preparation of polyetherols and/or as monomers for polyamide production. The present invention further relates to the diisocyanates as such prepared from the 2,6-BAMP derivatives and also the corresponding preparative process.