The hydrogenation of para-toluidine was studied over Rh/silica catalysts using a Trickle Bed Reactor (TBR) at 1.5 bar and 293 K. Under normal operating conditions the system was mass transport controlled. The main products were cis/trans 4-methylcyclohexylamine and bis(4-methylcyclohexyl)amine. Selectivity to 4-methylcyclohexylamine was typically >70 % with a final cis/trans ratio of 2.9. The initial cis/trans ratio was affected by preferential adsorption of the trans isomer on the silica support. The catalyst deactivated due to adsorption of the alkyl amine products, as temperature was increased, the deactivation decreased due to enhanced desorption.