Rhodium(0) nanoparticles supported on ceria (Rh NPs/CeO2) were prepared from the reduction of Rh3+ ions on the surface of ceria in aqueous medium. Rh NPs/CeO2 catalyst was found to be highly active in hydrogenation of benzene under mild conditions. It provided a TOF value of 495 h(-1) in hydrogenation of solventless benzene under similar to 3 bar pressure of H-2 gas at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Rh NPs/CeO2 shows superior catalytic activity over titania, zirconia and hafnia supported Rh NPs in this reaction. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.