Question

How we can convert unsaturated hydrocarbon to saturated hydrocarbon?

Answer 1

Conversion of Unsaturated hydrocarbon to Saturated hydrocarbon:

• Unsaturated hydrocarbons are those hydrocarbons that contain one or more double or triple bonds while saturated hydrocarbons consist of only single covalent bonds.
• By using the Addition reaction it is possible to convert Unsaturated hydrocarbon to Saturated hydrocarbon.
• In this process unsaturated hydrocarbon undergoes an addition reaction with hydrogen by using nickel or palladium as catalysts to produce saturated hydrocarbons.
• Example: Ethene can be converted by applying an addition reaction to ethane in the presence of nickel or palladium as catalysts.

$\underset{\text{(Ethene)}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_2={\mathrm{CH}}_2}+\underset{\text{(Hydrogen})}{{\mathrm{H}}_2}\stackrel{\mathrm{Ni}\text{or}\mathrm{Pd}}{⟶}\underset{\mathrm{Ethane}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3-{\mathrm{CH}}_3}$

• This process is also called a Hydrogenation reaction.

Hence, unsaturated hydrocarbon can be converted into saturated hydrocarbon by Addition reaction or Hydrogenation reaction.