Complexes of cobalt and nickel with tridentate ligand PNHP.sup.R are effective for hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds. Cobalt complex [(PNHP.sup.Cy)Co(CH.sub.2SiMe.sub.3)]BAr.sup.F.sub.4 (PNHP.sup.Cy=bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethyl]amine, BAr.sup.F.sub.4=B(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.4)) was prepared and used with hydrogen for hydrogenation of alkenes, aldehydes, ketones, and imines under mild conditions (25-60 C., 1-4 atm H.sub.2). Nickel complex [(PNHP.sup.Cy)Ni(H)]BPh.sub.4 was used for hydrogenation of styrene and 1-octene under mild conditions. (PNP.sup.Cy)Ni(H) was used for hydrogenating alkenes.

A method of producing a supported palladium catalyst includes the steps of: oxidizing a palladium compound by heating; dissolving the palladium compound after the heating in a solvent to prepare a palladium compound solution; and bringing the palladium compound solution into contact with a carrier.

A ceramic-supported palladium catalyst includes: palladium serving as an active component; and a ceramics carrier for supporting the palladium. In the ceramics carrier, a content ratio of aluminum oxide is from 15 mass % to 45 mass %, a content ratio of silicon oxide is from 40 mass % to 60 mass %, and a content ratio of magnesium oxide is from 5 mass % to 30 mass %.