Question

Name the reaction which is commonly used in the conversion of vegetable oils to fats. Explain the reaction involved in detail.

Answer 1

Hydrogenation:

1. Hydrogenation is a chemical process that occurs when molecular hydrogen reacts with another unsaturated substance in the presence of a catalyst like Nickel, Palladium, or Platinum.
2. Because nickel has the potential to absorb hydrogen, it is employed as a catalyst to allow for quick and easy absorption.
3. Although hydrogenation processes are exothermic, they do not occur at normal temperatures, except at very low rates.
4. Organic molecules are commonly reduced or saturated using this method.
5. A hydrogenation reaction occurs when vegetable oils are converted to fats. The double bonds of vegetable oils are broken down resulting in a saturated fat i.e. ghee.
6. General representation of Hydrogenation reaction is $\underset{\mathrm{Unsaturated}\mathrm{hydrocarbon}}{\stackrel{\stackrel{\mathrm{R}}{|}}{\underset{\underset{\mathrm{R}}{|}}{\mathrm{C}}}=\underset{\stackrel{|}{\mathrm{R}}}{\overset{\stackrel{\mathrm{R}}{|}}{\mathrm{C}}}}+\underset{\mathrm{Hydrogen}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2}\stackrel{\mathrm{Nickel}\mathrm{catalyst}}{\to }\underset{\mathrm{Saturated}\mathrm{hydrocarbon}}{\mathrm{R}-\stackrel{\stackrel{\mathrm{H}}{|}}{\underset{\underset{\mathrm{R}}{|}}{\mathrm{C}}}-\stackrel{\stackrel{\mathrm{H}}{|}}{\underset{\underset{\mathrm{R}}{|}}{\mathrm{C}}}-\mathrm{R}}$Where R is an alkyl group.
7. The melting point of the oil or fat is raised through the hydrogenation process.

Therefore, the Hydrogenation reaction is used for converting vegetable oil into fats.