MCQ Detailed View

The hydrogenation of oils is an important chemical process in which unsaturated fats (liquid oils) are converted into saturated fats (semi-solid or solid fats) by adding hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. The metal catalyst commonly used for this process is Nickel (Ni).

During hydrogenation, hydrogen gas reacts with the carbon-carbon double bonds (C=C) present in unsaturated fatty acids. The reaction occurs on the surface of the nickel catalyst, which accelerates the process without being consumed. This makes Nickel a heterogeneous catalyst, as it provides a surface for the reaction while remaining unchanged chemically.

Nickel is preferred because it is stable, inexpensive, and efficient in promoting hydrogen addition under controlled temperature and pressure conditions. The process is widely used in the food industry to produce margarine, shortening, and other solid fats from vegetable oils. Controlled hydrogenation also allows partial hydrogenation, which can adjust the melting point of oils to meet specific industrial requirements.

It is important to distinguish Nickel from other metals listed in the options:

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  Pb (Lead): Toxic metal, not used as a hydrogenation catalyst.

  
  


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  Cu (Copper): Not effective for oil hydrogenation.

  
  


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  Pt (Platinum): Can act as a hydrogenation catalyst in other reactions, but is expensive and not used in large-scale oil hydrogenation.

  
  

Understanding the role of nickel as a catalyst highlights concepts of chemical kinetics, catalysis, and industrial chemistry. It shows how catalysts increase reaction rates without being consumed and explains how chemical engineering transforms raw materials into useful products for daily life.