The development of catalysts capable of promoting hydrogenation of aromatics while being resistant to poisoning by nitrogen- and sulfur-containing species is of much interest in connection with hydrotreating of fossil fuels. We report a catalyst composed of ruthenium nanoparticles supported on magnesia, designed to promote heterolytic hydrogen splitting and surface ionic hydrogenation pathways. The catalyst, prepared through a one-pot procedure, promotes the hydrogenation of mono- and poly-cyclic arenes, as well as N- and S-heteroaromatics representative of fossil fuels components. Of particular significance are the superior activity and wider substrate scope of the catalyst, in relation to other known supported noble metals, and the excellent recyclability and long catalyst lifetime. Based on our experimental data, a dual-site catalyst structure and an associated dual-pathway mechanism are proposed, which may have interesting implications for the development of new poison-tolerant noble metal catalytic systems. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.