A Ni-RE-P-AL catalyst prepared by alkaline extraction of a rapidly quenched Ni-RE-P-AL alloy was characterized by means of ICP,BET,XRD,ZPS and TEM.The results show that the rapidly quenched Ni-RE-P-AL alloy contained less crystalline AL3Ni than AL-Ni alloy.After alkaline extraction,most of Al in the Ni-RE-P-AL alloy was leached out and the resulted Ni-RE-P-AL catalyst presented a spone structure similar to Raney Ni.Although Crystalline Ni is the major phase in the Ni-RE-P-AL catalyst and Raney Ni,amorphous Ni-P phase has been detected in the Ni-RE-P-AL catalyst.Studies on catalytic hydrogenation of toluene,phenyl ethylene,acetylene benzene,nitrobenzene,cyclohexanone and adiponitrile in liquid phase showed that the activity and selectivity of this Ni-RE-P-AL catalyst are superior to those of Raney Ni,especially at low temperatures.The amorphous phase is considered to be responsible for its superior catalytic properties.