Hydrogenation

Hydrogenation
Conditions
Catalyst Ni, Pd, Pt
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

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.