Magnetic γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanocrystallites dispersed in a hydroxyapatite matrix (HAP-γ-Fe 2 O 3 ) have been synthesized for the first time as a new catalyst support. The cation-exchange ability of the external HAP surface enables an equimolar substitution of Ru for Ca to form a catalytically active center (RuHAP-γ-Fe 2 O 3 ). Characterization by several spectroscopic methods demonstrated the formation of γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanocrystallites within the HAP matrix having a mean diameter ...