The efficient microwave-assisted transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds was performed using supported Pt and Pd nanoparticles on Al-SBA-15 materials. Excellent conversions, with exceedingly higher TOF values (4,000-20,000 h(-1)) compared to any previous literature report, were achieved in very short times of reaction (5-30 min), together with complete selectivities to the hydrogenated product.