Question

Which catalyst is used in the hydrogenation of oils:

Options

• Alkynes

• Alkanes

• Alkenes

• Alcohols

Answer 1

Alkenes

Explanation:

Vegetable oils are unsaturated fats that behave as alkenes due to their carbon-carbon double bonds. During the industrial hydrogenation process, these alkene bonds break as hydrogen gas is added in the presence of a finely divided Nickel (Ni) catalyst. This chemical transformation converts the unsaturated liquid vegetable oil into a solid, saturated fat (alkane) known as vegetable ghee.