Hydrogenation

Hydrogenation
Conditions
Catalyst Ni, Pd, Pt
This article is about addition of neutral H2. For addition of H+, see protonation.
Catalysed hydrogenation
Process typeChemical
Industrial sector(s)Food industry, petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, agricultural industry
Main technologies or sub-processesVarious transition metal catalysts, high-pressure technology
FeedstockUnsaturated substrates and hydrogen or hydrogen donors
Product(s)Saturated hydrocarbons and derivatives
InventorPaul Sabatier
Year of invention1897
Steps in the hydrogenation of a C=C double bond at a catalyst surface, for example Ni or Pt :
(1) The reactants are adsorbed on the catalyst surface and H2 dissociates.
(2) An H atom bonds to one C atom. The other C atom is still attached to the surface.
(3) A second C atom bonds to an H atom. The molecule leaves the surface.

Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and another compound or element, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as nickel, palladium or platinum. The process is commonly employed to reduce or saturate organic compounds. Hydrogenation typically constitutes the addition of pairs of hydrogen atoms to a molecule, often an alkene. Catalysts are required for the reaction to be usable; non-catalytic hydrogenation takes place only at very high temperatures. Hydrogenation reduces double and triple bonds in hydrocarbons.[1]

  1. ^ Hudlický, Miloš (1996). Reductions in Organic Chemistry. Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society. p. 429. ISBN 978-0-8412-3344-7.