Dendrimer encapsulated ruthenium nanoparticles (RuDEN) were prepared and immobilized on silica 60 and silica 100. The size of the supported RuDENs was investigated using HRTEM and the generation six G6-RuDEN was found to be the most stable RuDEN upon immobilization. The catalysts were evaluated in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of toluene at a hydrogen pressure of 30 bar and 110 degrees C. Several ionic liquids were used as coatings for the G5-RuSil100 catalysts to give various Solid Catalysts with Ionic Liquid Layer (SCILL). In each case the selectivity towards methylcyclohexenes was increased compared to the uncoated catalyst, accompanied by an expected decrease in activity with the highest methylcyclohexene selectivity being observed when using [EMIM][NTf2] as a coating. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.