Kinetic model for the chemoselective hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds on Au/TiO 2 has been established by combining the Hougen–Watson formalism and isotopic studies. It has been found that, with this catalyst, the controlling step corresponds to the dissociation of H 2 on gold atoms of low coordination. Taking this into account, a new bimetallic Au@Pt/TiO 2 solid has been prepared that, when optimised, increases the rate of H 2 dissociation while preserving high chemoselectivity. The resultant catalyst is the most effective catalyst reported, up to now, for hydrogenating nitroaromatic compounds in the presence of other sensitive functionalities.