Biomass fast pyrolysis oil (bio-oil) can serve as feedstock for production of useful chemicals by catalytic hydrogenation over a ruthenium metal catalyst. The chemical products include a suite of cyclohexanols, such as cyclohexanol, 4-alkylcyclohexanols, 1,2-cyclohexanediol, 4-alkyl-1,2-cyclohexanediol, 2-methoxycyclohexanol, and 4-alkyl-2-methoxycyclohexanols, as well as similar cyclohexanones. (alkyl = methyl, ethyl and propyl). The hydrogenation is accomplished at temperatures of 180 to 280 degrees Celsius and operating pressures of 2000 psig.