Question

What is hydrogenation? What is its industrial application?

Answer 1

Hydrogenation:

• Hydrogenation is defined as the reaction between hydrogen and other compounds in the presence of a catalyst.
• Hydrogenation can also be defined as the addition of hydrogen to an element or a compound.

Example of Hydrogenation reaction:

• Hydrogenation of Ethene$\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4\right)$ is done in presence of Palladium and Carbon which gives Ethane $\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6\right)$ as a product.
• The chemical reaction is depicted below:

Industrial application of Hydrogenation:

• It is used in the hydrogenation of vegetable oils.
• It has wide applications in the petrochemical industry.
• It is used to preserve or purify many products/ingredients/raw materials.
• It improves the oxidative stability of the oil.