A method of preparing a hydrogenation catalyst, for example, a phthalate hydrogenation catalyst, comprising nebulizing a liquid containing a noble metal and a chelating agent comprising at least one nitrogen-containing functional group to form a nebulized liquid, and contacting the nebulized liquid with silica particles; a hydrogenation catalyst prepared by that method; and a method of hydrogenating unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as phthalates, in which an unsaturated hydrocarbon is contacted with hydrogen gas in the presence of the hydrogenation catalyst of the invention.