The invention discloses a catalyst. The main active component is one or two of Cu and Ni, the auxiliary agent is one or more simple substances or oxides of Au, Pt, Ru, Al, Re, B, Mg, Rh, Ir, Mn, La, Pd, Ag, Li, Cr and Ce, and the carrier is one or more of activated carbon, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, graphite, a molecular sieve, diatomite and a carbon nanotube. The invention also discloses a preparation method and an application thereof. The catalyst provided by the invention has a high conversion rate and selectivity and excellent activity, stability and other properties. According to themethod, the 3-(3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanol is prepared by hydrogenating the methyl 3-(3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate for the first time, and the purposes of high conversion rate and selectivity can be achieved under mild conditions through the prepared catalyst.