Abstract We have demonstrated a highly active and selective nanocatalyst, Rh/HAP (rhodium supported on hydroxyapatite), for the reduction of nitroarenes with hydrazine and for the hydrogenation of olefins with hydrogen gas under mild conditions. Nitroarenes were hydrogenated selectively to the corresponding anilines over the Rh/HAP catalyst with hydrazine as reducing agent, and reducible groups, such as halides (fluorine, chlorine, ...