CHEMISTRY GUIDE

This page looks at the reaction of the carbon-carbon double bond in alkenes with hydrogen in the presence of a metal catalyst. This is called hydrogenation. It includes the manufacture of margarine from animal or vegetable fats and oils. Hydrogenation in the lab The hydrogenation of ethene Ethene reacts with hydrogen in the presence of a finely divided nickel catalyst at a temperature of about 150°C. Ethane is produced. This is a fairly pointless reaction because ethene is a far more useful compound than ethane! However, what is true of the reaction of the carbon-carbon double bond in ethene is equally true of it in much more complicated cases. Note:   You will find the mechanism for this hydrogenation reaction described in some detail in the catalysis section of this site. Use the BACK button on your browser to return to this page. Margarine manufacture Some margarine is made by hydrogen...