The hydrogenation of aromatics under mild conditions remains a challenge in the fields of synthetic and petroleum chemistry. Described herein is a new catalytic material that shows excellent catalytic performance in terms of activity, selectivity, and reusability in the hydrogenation of aromatics in solvent-free systems under mild conditions. The catalyst, consisting of rhodium nanoparticles supported on nanocrystal-line hydroxyapatite, can quantitatively hydrogenate neat benzene to cyclohexane with exceptionally high rates (initial TOF > 10(3) h(-1)) at 298 K and 3 bars of initial H(2) pressure. This new material maintains its inherent catalytic activity after several reuses. Importantly, catalyst preparation does not require elaborate procedures because the active metal nanoparticles are readily formed from the in situ reduction of Rh(3+)-exchanged hydroxyapatite while submerged in the aromatic solvent at room temperature under 3 bars of H(2) pressure.