Ruthenium on alumina is widely used as a heterogeneous catalyst in various industrial and laboratory chemical reactions. Its primary application lies in hydrogenation processes, where it efficiently promotes the addition of hydrogen to unsaturated organic compounds, including alkenes, aldehydes, and nitriles, often under mild conditions. It is particularly valued for selective hydrogenation, allowing specific functional groups to be reduced without affecting others.

This catalyst is also employed in ammonia synthesis, where it demonstrates higher activity compared to traditional iron-based catalysts, especially in supported forms with promoters. The alumina support provides a high surface area and thermal stability, enhancing catalyst performance and longevity.

In addition, ruthenium on alumina finds use in reforming reactions and in the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, where catalyst efficiency and selectivity are critical. It is also explored in renewable energy-related processes, such as catalytic conversion of biomass-derived molecules into fuels and valuable chemicals. Due to its robustness and reusability, it is a preferred choice in continuous flow reactor systems.