The hydrogenation of dimethyl adipate at moderate conditions (5 MPa and 255 degreesC) was studied aiming at screening the performance of noble metals and some additives on 1,6-hexanediol selective production. Ruthenium was found to be the most active metal and selectively cleavage the O-CH3 bond in the ester group giving the adipic acid monomethyl ester. A drop in activity was found by introducing any additive. Co, Zn and Sn were the only elements on which some selectivity towards 1,6-hexanediol was found. Production of hexanediol was significant over RuSn/Al2O3 catalyst (49% selectivity). This finding is motivating considering the operating conditions used, especially the low hydrogen pressure. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.57377381