Catalysts of formula [Ru(L).sub.m(L').sub.wXY] (II) wherein X and Y represent simultaneously or independently a hydrogen or halogen atom, a hydroxy group, or an alkoxy, carboxyl or other anionic radical, m is 1 or 2, w is 1 when m is 1 and w is 0 when m is 2, L is a phosphino-amine or phosphino-imine bidentate ligand and L' a diphosphine, are useful for the hydrogenation of substrates having a carbon-hetero atom double bond.