PURPOSE: To provide a method for directly and selectively aminating and/or cyanating an aromatic ring.

CONSTITUTION: An aromatic compound is aminated and/or cyanated at 200-500°C temperature in the presence of ammonia by using a catalyst supporting a group VIII element of the periodic table on a carrier. The selectivity for the amination and cyanation varies with the kind of the group VIII element. Co and Fe are suitable for the amination and Pd and Rh are suitable for the cyanation. Ni, Ru, Ir and Pt are suitable for the simultaneous progress of the amination and cyanation. A compound of an alkaline metal, an alkaline earth metal or a rare earth metal can be added to improve the performance of the catalyst. The ratio of the cyanation can be reduced by carrying out the reaction in the presence of water and hydrogen and the ratio of the cyanation can be enhanced by carrying out the reaction in the presence of air and oxygen.