Hydrogenation of quinoline, its 2-, 3-, 6-, and 8-methyl and 2-isopropyl homologs, isoquinoline, acridine, benzo[h]quinoline, 2-phenylpyridine, 4-phenylpyridine, and 4-(3-phenylpropyl)pyridine over platinum oxide (and, in some instances, palladium or rhodium on charcoal) in strong acid (12 N HC1,12 N H2SO4, CF3COOH) leads to selective hydrogenation of the benzene ring. The fastest procedure is one employing PtOs in trifluoroacetic acid.