General Knowledge - Chemistry - Discussion

Raney Nickel is generally used for this purpose, but palladium or Platinum may also be used. But Nickel is cheaper than the least two metals. Raney Nickel is a powder. So it has larger surface area which helps to reduce activation energy more for hydrogenation and may hold a large amount of Hydrogen gas for reaction.

Due to its large reactivity, high structural and thermal stability, Nickel is mostly used in hydrogenation of oil. And it is not soluble in any lab solvents except acids which also gives an advantage.

Hydrogenation "to treat with hydrogen " 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.

Catalyst is a substance which does not alter the rate of reaction with respect to temp. In hydrogenation of oil Ni is used as catalyst because it increases active centers and increases rate of reaction.

Nickel, palladium and platinum. These three metals can be used as a catalyst in the hydrogenation of oil. But in this question, both nickel and platinum are in option, so why nickel is the answer?

Because in hydrogenation elements having more d-electrons are more useful. Ni is having the highest d-electrons among all given.

Hydrogenation of oils is a process for converting the oil to fat.for example vanaspathi is made from vegitables oil.

Its Ni because Ni act as a catalyst and its stable in nature its not reactive.

All are used but the appropriate one is Ni in the hydrogenation reaction.

Ni is having the highest do electron among all given.

Ni, Pd or Pt may be used as catalyst in this case.