Hydrogenation

{{short description|Chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen and another compound or element}} {{use mdy dates|date=May 2026}}

{{Reactionbox|Name=Hydrogenation|Type=|Section3={{Reactionbox Identifiers | OrganicChemistryNamed = | RSC_ontology_id = }}|Section1={{Reactionbox Conditions | Reference = | Catalyst= Ni, Pd, Pt | Solvent = | Temperature = }}}} {{this|addition of neutral H₂|addition of H⁺|protonation}} {{Infobox industrial process |name = Catalysed hydrogenation |image = |caption = |type = Chemical |sector = Food industry, petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, agricultural industry |technologies = Various transition metal catalysts, high-pressure technology |feedstock = Unsaturated substrates and hydrogen or hydrogen donors |product = Saturated hydrocarbons and derivatives |companies = |facility = |inventor = Paul Sabatier |year = 1897 |developer = }}

[[File:Hydrogenation on catalyst.svg|thumb| Steps in the hydrogenation of a C=C double bond at a catalyst surface, for example Ni or Pt :{{cn|date=May 2026}}<br /> (1) The reactants are adsorbed on the catalyst surface and H₂ dissociates. (2) An H atom bonds to one C atom. The other C atom is still attached to the surface. (3) A second C atom bonds to an H atom. The molecule leaves the surface.]]<!--This is unique, unsourced textual content being added to thea article via a figure legend. Per WP:VERIFY, it requires sourcing. It is not WP:SKYISBLUE content.-->

'''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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hudlický|first=Miloš|title=Reductions in Organic Chemistry|publisher=American Chemical Society|year=1996|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=429|isbn=978-0-8412-3344-7}}</ref>

== Process == Hydrogenation has three components, the hydrogen source, the unsaturated substrate, and, generally, a catalyst. The conditions of the reaction - solvent (if any), temperatures, pressures - are determined by these same components. Some hydrogenations proceed at 1 atmosphere and at room temperature, while others proceed well at hundreds of degrees centigrade and hundreds of atmospheres pressure.<ref name=Stock/> Illustrative of a more demanding conditions is the hydrogenation of diethyl adipate, which is conducted at 2000-3000 psi H₂ pressure and 255 °C.<ref name=Lazier>{{cite journal |title=Hexamethylene Glycol |journal=Organic Syntheses |date=1939 |volume=19 |page=48 |doi=10.15227/orgsyn.019.0048 |first1=W. A. |last1=Lazier |first2=J. W. |last2=Hill |first3=W. J. |last3=Amend}}</ref> By contrast, hydrogenation of a terminal alkene using a homogeneous rhodium-based catalyst proceeds at 1 atm H₂ and room temperature.<ref name=RI/><ref name=Bruce>{{cite journal |title=Dihydrocholesterol |journal=Organic Syntheses |date=1937 |volume=17 |page=45 |doi=10.15227/orgsyn.017.0045 |first1=W. F. |last1=Bruce |first2=J. O. |last2=Ralls}}</ref>

=== Hydrogen sources === As illustrated by the preceding examples,<ref name=Lazier/><ref name=RI/> hydrogenation reactions generally employ gaseous, elemental dihydrogen ({{chem2|H2}}), which is available commercially as pressurized cylinders.<ref name=Stock/> The hydrogenation process may require greater than one atmosphere of hydrogen. In some applications, a process termed transfer hydrogenation is used, wherein the hydrogen atoms added in the hydrogenation reaction are derived from compounds other than H₂, e.g., formic acid, isopropanol, and dihydroanthracene (substrates dehydrogenated to yield, respectively, carbon dioxide, acetone, and anthracene.<ref>{{cite book | author = Beck, Shay | date = 2019 | title = Organometallic Chemistry | location = United Kingdom{{what|date=May 2026}} | publisher = EDTECH | edition = | isbn = | url = | access-date = }}{{full|date=May 2026}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2026}}{{page needed|date=May 2026}}

=== Substrates === {|class="wikitable toccolours" |+Substrates for and products of hydrogenation |- ! Substrate || Product || Comments||Heat of hydrogenation<br />(kJ/mol)<ref>Scott D. Barnicki "Synthetic Organic Chemicals" in Handbook of Industrial Chemistry and Biotechnology edited by James A. Kent, New York : Springer, 2012. 12th ed. {{ISBN|978-1-4614-4259-2}}.</ref> |- |align=center| {{chem2|R2C\dCR'2}}<br />(alkene) |align=center| {{chem2|R2CHCHR'2}}<br />(alkane) |align=center| large application is production of margarine | align=center| −90 to −130 |- |align=center| {{chem2|RC\tCR'}}<br />(alkyne) |align=center| {{chem2|RCH2CH2R'}}<br />(alkane) | align=center| semihydrogenation gives {{chem2|''cis''\-RHC\dCHR'}}<br /> | align=center| −300<br />(for full hydrogenation) |- |align=center| {{chem2|RCH\dO}}<br />(aldehyde) |align=center| {{chem2|RCH2OH}}<br />(primary alcohol) | align=center| often employs transfer hydrogenation | align=center| −60 to −65 |- |align=center| {{chem2|R2CO}}<br />(ketone) |align=center| {{chem2|R2CHOH}}<br />(secondary alcohol) | align=center| often employs transfer hydrogenation | align=center| −60 to −65 |- |align=center| {{chem2|RCO2R'}}<br />(ester) |align=center| {{chem2|RCH2OH + R'OH}}<br />(two alcohols) | align=center| often applies to production of fatty alcohols | align=center| −25 to −105 |- |align=center| {{chem2|RCO2H}}<br />(carboxylic acid) |align=center| {{chem2|RCH2OH}}<br />(primary alcohol) |align=center| applicable to fatty alcohols |align=center| −25 to −75 |- |align=center| {{chem2|RNO2}}<br />(nitro) |align=center| {{chem2|RNH2}}<br />(amine) |align=center| major application is aniline<ref>{{cite journal | year = 2000 | title = Hydrogenation of nitrobenzene using polymer bound Ru(III) complexes as catalyst | journal = Ind. Jr. Of Chem. Tech. | volume = 7 | page = 280 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Patel | first1 = D. R. | year = 1998 | title = Hydrogenation of nitrobenzene using polymer anchored Pd(II) complexes as catalyst | journal = Journal of Molecular Catalysis | volume = 130 | issue = 1–2| page = 57 | doi=10.1016/s1381-1169(97)00197-0}}</ref> | align=center| −550 |- |}

=== Catalysts === Catalysts are usually classified into two broad classes: homogeneous and heterogeneous. Heterogeneous catalysts are solids that are suspended in the same solvent with the substrate or are treated with gaseous substrate. Homogeneous catalysts are dissolved in solutions containing the unsaturated substrate. Heterogeneous catalysts are more widely used, in part because they are more readily separated from the product.<ref name=Stock>{{cite book |last1=Stock |first1=Christoph |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |chapter=Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation |date=2023 |pages=1–20 |doi=10.1002/14356007.a13_487.pub3 |isbn=978-3-527-30385-4 }}</ref>

==== Heterogeneous catalysts ==== Heterogeneous catalysts vary widely in composition and are selected for the substrates. For the hydrogenation of alkenes and arenes, precious metals are often employed. A major exception being Raney nickel for hydrogenation of fats. For polar substrates like esters, copper catalysts are often favored.<ref name=Stock/>

Heterogeneous catalyst vary not only in the identity of the active metal(s) but also in the catalyst supports, the material upon which most heterogeneous catalysts are deposited. Supports allow the catalysts to have high surface areas, which is especially important for precious metals. Typical supports are activated carbon, alumina, calcium carbonate or barium sulfate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alfa.com/en/platinum-heterogeneous-catalysts/|title=Platinum Heterogeneous Catalysts – Alfa Aesar|website=www.alfa.com|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118181608/https://www.alfa.com/en/platinum-heterogeneous-catalysts/|archive-date=18 January 2018}}</ref> For example, platinum on carbon is produced by reduction of chloroplatinic acid ''in situ'' in carbon. Examples of these catalysts are 5% ruthenium on activated carbon, or 1% platinum on alumina. Base metal catalysts, such as Raney nickel, are typically much cheaper and do not need a support. In the laboratory, unsupported (massive) precious metal catalysts such as platinum black are still used, despite the cost.

==== Homogeneous catalysts ==== Some well known homogeneous catalysts are indicated below. These are coordination complexes that activate both the unsaturated substrate and the {{chem2|H2}}. Most typically, these complexes contain platinum group metals, especially Rh and Ir. <gallery caption="Homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts and their precursors" widths="180px" heights="120px"> File:Dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II).png|Dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) is a precatalyst based on ruthenium. File:Crabtree.svg|Crabtree's catalyst is active for hydrogenation of sterically hindered alkenes File:Cyclooctadiene-rhodium-chloride-dimer-2D-skeletal.png|Cyclooctadiene rhodium chloride dimer, {{chem2|Rh2Cl2(cod)2}} is a precursor to many homogeneous catalysts. File:(S)-iPr-PHOX.svg|(S)-iPr-PHOX is a typical chelating phosphine ligand used in asymmetric hydrogenation. </gallery> {{clear left}} [[File:WilkinsonCycleJMBrown.png|thumbnail|right|480px|Mechanism for the hydrogenation of a terminal alkene using Wilkinson's catalyst.]]

Homogeneous catalysts are also used in asymmetric synthesis by the hydrogenation of prochiral substrates. An early demonstration of this approach was the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of enamides as precursors to the drug {{Nowrap|L-DOPA}}.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Knowles|first1=W. S.|title=Application of organometallic catalysis to the commercial production of L-DOPA|journal=Journal of Chemical Education|date=March 1986|volume=63|issue=3|pages=222|doi=10.1021/ed063p222|bibcode=1986JChEd..63..222K}}</ref> To achieve asymmetric reduction, these catalyst are made chiral by use of chiral diphosphine ligands.<ref name="Textbook" /> Rhodium catalyzed hydrogenation has also been used in the herbicide production of S-metolachlor, which uses a Josiphos type ligand (called Xyliphos).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Blaser|first1=Hans-Ulrich|last2=Pugin|first2=Benoît|last3=Spindler|first3=Felix|last4=Thommen|first4=Marc|title=From a Chiral Switch to a Ligand Portfolio for Asymmetric Catalysis|journal=Accounts of Chemical Research|date=December 2007|volume=40|issue=12|pages=1240–1250|doi=10.1021/ar7001057|pmid=17715990}}</ref> In principle asymmetric hydrogenation can be catalyzed by chiral heterogeneous catalysts,<ref name=Mallet>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1021/cr0683663 | title = Asymmetric Catalysis at Chiral Metal Surfaces | year = 2007 | last1 = Mallat | first1 = T. | last2 = Orglmeister | first2 = E. | last3 = Baiker | first3 = A. | journal = Chemical Reviews | volume = 107 | issue = 11 | pages = 4863–90 | pmid = 17927256}}</ref> but this approach remains more of a curiosity than a useful technology.

With rare exceptions, molecular hydrogen is unreactive toward organic compounds in the absence of metal catalysts.{{cn|date=May 2026}} In a hydrogenation reaction involving a metal catalyst,{{cn|date=May 2026}} unsaturated substrate is chemisorbed onto the catalyst, with most sites covered by the substrate.<!--The preceding does not apply to homogeneous contexts using modern ctalysts!--> In heterogeneous catalysis, hydrogen forms surface hydrides (M-H) from which hydrogens can be transferred to the chemisorbed substrate.{{cn|date=May 2026}} Platinum, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium form highly active catalysts, which operate at lower temperatures and lower pressures of dihydrogen.{{cn|date=May 2026}}

Non-precious metal catalysts, especially those based on nickel (such as Raney nickel and Urushibara nickel) have also been developed as economical alternatives, but they are often slower or require higher temperatures.{{or|date=May 2026}}{{cn|date=May 2026}}

In hydrogenations, a trade-off can be the speed of the reaction vs. cost of the catalyst and apparatus required for use of high pressures.{{says who|date=May 2026}}{{cn|date=May 2026}} As in homogeneous catalysts, the activity is adjusted through changes in the environment around the metal, i.e. the coordination sphere. Different faces of a crystalline heterogeneous catalyst display distinct activities, for example. This can be modified by mixing metals or using different preparation techniques. Similarly, heterogeneous catalysts are affected by their supports.

In many cases, highly empirical modifications involve selective "poisons". Thus, a carefully chosen catalyst can be used to hydrogenate some functional groups without affecting others, such as the hydrogenation of alkenes without touching aromatic rings, or the selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes using Lindlar's catalyst. For example, when the catalyst palladium is placed on barium sulfate and then treated with quinoline, the resulting catalyst reduces alkynes only as far as alkenes. The Lindlar catalyst has been applied to the conversion of phenylacetylene to styrene.<ref>{{OrgSynth|author=H. Lindlar and R. Dubuis|title=Palladium Catalyst for Partial Reduction of Acetylenes|collvol=5|collvolpages=880|year=1973|prep=CV5P0880}}</ref>

<gallery caption="Illustrative hydrogenations" widths="162px" heights="110px"> File:CarvoneH2.png|Selective hydrogenation of the less hindered alkene group in carvone using a homogeneous catalyst (Wilkinson's catalyst).<ref name=RI>{{cite journal|title=Homogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation: Dihydrocarvone |first1=Robert E.|last1=Ireland|first2=P.|last2=Bey|journal=Organic Syntheses |year=1973 |volume=53 |page=63 |doi=10.15227/orgsyn.053.0063}}</ref> File:PhC2HH2.png|Partial hydrogenation of phenylacetylene using the Lindlar catalyst. File:ImineH2.png|Hydrogenation of an imine using a Raney nickel catalyst, a popular heterogeneous catalyst. File:ResorcinolH2.png|Partial hydrogenation of a resorcinol derivative using a Raney-Nickel catalyst. File:SuccPdH2.png|Hydrogenation of maleic acid to succinic acid.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Amoa | first1 = Kwesi | year = 2007 | title = Catalytic Hydrogenation of Maleic Acid at Moderate Pressures A Laboratory Demonstration | journal = Journal of Chemical Education | volume = 84 | issue = 12| page = 1948 | doi = 10.1021/ed084p1948 | bibcode = 2007JChEd..84.1948A }}</ref> </gallery>

== Thermodynamics== The addition of hydrogen to double or triple bonds in hydrocarbons is quite favorable thermodynamically. For example, the addition of hydrogen to ethylene has a Gibbs free energy change of -101&nbsp;kJ·mol⁻¹, which is highly exergonic.<ref name=Textbook>{{cite book|last1=Atkins|first1=Peter W.|title=Shriver & Atkins' inorganic chemistry.|date=2010|publisher=W. H. Freeman and Co.|location=New York|isbn=978-1-4292-1820-7|page=696|edition=5th}}</ref> In the hydrogenation of vegetable oils and fatty acids, for example, the heat released, about 25 kcal per mole (105 kJ/mol), is sufficient to raise the temperature of the oil by 1.6–1.7&nbsp;°C per iodine number drop.

However, the reaction rate for most hydrogenation reactions is negligible in the absence of catalysts. The mechanism of metal-catalyzed hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes has been extensively studied.<ref>Kubas, G. J., "Metal Dihydrogen and σ-Bond Complexes", Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers: New York, 2001</ref> First of all isotope labeling using deuterium confirms the regiochemistry of the addition: :<chem>RCH=CH2 + D2 -> RCHDCH2D</chem>

==Mechanism== The mechanism for the metal-catalyzed addition of H2 to alkenes and alkynes is similar for both heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. On solids, the mechanism is sometimes called the Horiuti-Polanyi mechanism:<ref>Gallezot, Pierre. "Hydrogenation – Heterogeneous" in Encyclopedia of Catalysis, Volume 4, ed. Horvath, I.T., John Wiley & Sons, 2003.</ref><ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1039/TF9343001164 | title = Exchange reactions of hydrogen on metallic catalysts | year = 1934 | last1 = Horiuti | first1 = Iurô | last2 = Polanyi | first2 = M. | journal = Transactions of the Faraday Society | volume = 30 | pages = 1164}}</ref> # Binding of the unsaturated substrate at the metal # Dissociation of {{chem2|H2}} on the catalyst the sequence of these steps is unclear or variable # Addition of one atom of hydrogen; this step is reversible # Addition of the second atom; effectively irreversible.

The mechanistic details are known in exquisite detail for homogeneous catalysis because the later can be interrogated spectroscopically.<ref>Johannes G. de Vries, Cornelis J. Elsevier, eds. The Handbook of Homogeneous Hydrogenation Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2007. {{ISBN|978-3-527-31161-3}}</ref> Some specific reactions are: * binding of the hydrogen to give a dihydride complex via oxidative addition. Preceding the oxidative addition of {{chem2|H2}} is the formation of a dihydrogen complex :{{chem2|L_{''n''}M + H2 -> |L_{''n''}M(H2)}} :{{chem2|L_{''n''}M(H2) -> |L_{''n''}MH2}} * binding of alkene: :{{chem2|L_{''n''}MH2 + CH2\dCHR -> L_{''n''}MH2(CH2\dCHR)}} The sequence of the preceding reactions is often reversed. The main point is the formation of an alkene-metal-dihydride * transfer of one hydrogen atom from the metal to carbon (migratory insertion): :{{chem2|L_{''n''}MH2(CH2\dCHR) -> L_{''n''}M(H)(CH2\sCH2R)}} * transfer of the second hydrogen atom from the metal to the alkyl group with simultaneous dissociation of the alkane ("reductive elimination") :{{chem2|L_{''n''}M(H)(CH2\sCH2R) -> L_{''n''}M + CH3\sCH2R}}

===Selected mechanistic details=== Many details are confirmed using D₂ (deuterium) in place of H₂. Ordinarily the product contains a pair of adjacent deuterium atoms: {{chem2|RCH\dCHR' + D2 -> RCHD\sCHDR'}}

An important characteristic of alkene and alkyne hydrogenations, both the homogeneously and heterogeneously-catalyzed versions, is that hydrogen addition occurs with "syn addition". Semihydrogenation of internal alkynes gives Z-alkenes.

H₂ tends to add to the least hindered side.<ref>''Advanced Organic Chemistry'' Jerry March 2nd Edition{{full citation needed|date=February 2022}}</ref>

Aromatic substrates are less reactive than typical alkenes. The first hydrogenation of an arene is slowest. The product of this step is a cyclohexadiene, which hydrogenate rapidly and are rarely detected. Similarly, the cyclohexene is ordinarily reduced to cyclohexane.<ref name=Bruce/>

===Side reactions=== Alkene isomerization often accompanies hydrogenation. This side reaction proceeds by beta-hydride elimination of the alkyl intermediate:<ref>{{cite book | title=Organotransition Metal Chemistry: From Bonding to Catalysis | publisher=University Science Books | author=Hartwig, John | year=2010 | location=New York | pages=1160 | isbn=978-1-938787-15-7}}</ref> :{{chem2|L_{''n''}M(H)(CH2\sCH2R) -> L_{''n''}MH2(CH2\dCHR)}} :{{chem2|L_{''n''}MH2(CH2\dCHR) -> L_{''n''}MH2 + CH2\dCHR }} Often the released olefin is trans. Since trans olefins are less susceptible to hydrogenation than cis-olefins, they tend to accumulate. Similarly, under hydrogenation conditions, terminal alkenes convert to internal alkenes, which also resist hydrogenation for steric reasons. Such side reactions can be detected using deuterium labeling.

== Industrial applications == Catalytic hydrogenation has diverse industrial uses. Most frequently, industrial hydrogenation relies on heterogeneous catalysts.<ref name=Rylander>{{cite book | author = Rylander, Paul N. | date = 15 June 2000 | chapter = Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation | title = Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry | editor = | page = | location = Weinheim, Germany | publisher = Wiley-VCH | doi = 10.1002/14356007.a13_487 | url = https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/14356007.a13_487 | access-date = 2026-05-15 | url-access = subscription}}{{full|date=May 2026}}</ref> === Food industry === {{Main|Fat hydrogenation}} The food industry hydrogenates vegetable oils to convert them into solid or semi-solid fats that can be used in spreads, candies, baked goods, and other products like margarine. Vegetable oils are made from polyunsaturated fatty acids (having more than one carbon-carbon double bond). Hydrogenation eliminates some of these double bonds.<ref name=free2005>{{cite book | author = Freeman, Ian P. | date = 15 June 2000 | chapter = Margarines and Shortenings | title = Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry | editor = | page = | location = Weinheim, Germany | publisher = Wiley-VCH | doi = 10.1002/14356007.a16_145 | url = https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14356007.a16_145 | access-date = 2026-05-15 | url-access = subscription}}{{full|date=May 2026}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2026}}{{better source|date=May 2026}}

[[File:H2forMargerin.png|thumb|320px|Partial hydrogenation of a typical plant oil to a typical component of margarine.{{cn|date=May 2026}} Most of the C=C double bonds are removed in this process, which elevates the melting point of the product.{{cn|date=May 2026}}<!--You are, via the legend, adding textual content that is not in the article. It must be sourced, else it violates WP:VERIFY. (It is not WP:SKYISBLUE content.)-->]]

=== Petrochemical industry === In the petrochemical industry, hydrogenation of unsaturated substrates is subsidiary to other uses of hydrogen. More important are hydrocracking and hydrotreating. Hydrogenation is however used to convert alkenes and aromatics into saturated alkanes (paraffins) and cycloalkanes (naphthenes), which are less toxic and less reactive.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Häussinger |first1=Peter |last2=Lohmüller |first2=Reiner |last3=Watson |first3=Allan M. |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |chapter=Hydrogen, 6. Uses |date=2011 |doi=10.1002/14356007.o13_o07 |isbn=978-3-527-30385-4 }}</ref> Relevant to liquid fuels that are stored sometimes for long periods in air, saturated hydrocarbons exhibit superior storage properties. On the other hand, alkenes tend to form hydroperoxides, which can form gums that interfere with fuel handling equipment. For example, mineral turpentine is usually hydrogenated. Hydrocracking of heavy residues into diesel is another application. In isomerization and catalytic reforming processes, some hydrogen pressure is maintained to hydrogenolyze coke formed on the catalyst and prevent its accumulation.

=== Organic chemistry === Hydrogenation is widely used in organic chemistry as a means for converting unsaturated compounds into saturated derivatives.<ref name=Stock/> Substrates include not only alkenes and alkynes, with conversion to alkanes, and alkenes or alkanes, respectively but also ketones or aldehydes, and imines or nitriles, with conversion to alcohols and amines, respectively.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Werkmeister|first1=Svenja|last2=Junge|first2=Kathrin|last3=Beller|first3=Matthias|title=Catalytic Hydrogenation of Carboxylic Acid Esters, Amides, and Nitriles with Homogeneous Catalysts|journal=Organic Process Research & Development|date=2 February 2014|volume=18|issue=2|pages=289–302|doi=10.1021/op4003278|s2cid=102012512 |doi-access=free}}{{open access}}</ref>

Thus, aldehydes and ketones are susceptible to hydrogenation to the corresponding alcohols. For example, xylitol, a sweet-tasting polyol, can be prepared by hydrogenation of the sugar xylose using a Raney nickel catalyst.<ref name="Xyl">{{cite book |last1=Schiweck |first1=Hubert |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |last2=Bär |first2=Albert |last3=Vogel |first3=Roland |last4=Schwarz |first4=Eugen |last5=Kunz |first5=Markwart |last6=Dusautois |first6=Cécile |last7=Clement |first7=Alexandre |last8=Lefranc |first8=Caterine |last9=Lüssem |first9=Bernd |year=2012 |isbn=978-3-527-30385-4 |chapter=Sugar Alcohols |doi=10.1002/14356007.a25_413.pub3 |last10=Moser |first10=Matthias |last11=Peters |first11=Siegfried}}</ref>

Primary amines can be synthesized by hydrogenation of nitriles. For example, isophorone diamine, a precursor to the polyurethane monomer isophorone diisocyanate, is produced from isophorone nitrile by a tandem reaction process involving both a nitrile hydrogenation.<ref name= Siegel>{{cite encyclopedia|first1=Hardo |last1=Siegel |first2=Manfred |last2=Eggersdorfer|title=Ketones|encyclopedia=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry|date=2005|publisher=Wiley-VCH|place=Weinheim|doi=10.1002/14356007.a15_077|isbn=9783527306732 }}</ref>

=== Hydrogenation of coal === {{Main|Bergius process}} {{empty section|date=May 2026}}

== History ==

=== Heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation === The earliest hydrogenation was that of the platinum-catalyzed addition of hydrogen to oxygen in the Döbereiner's lamp, a device commercialized as early as 1823. The French chemist Paul Sabatier is considered the father of the hydrogenation process now known as the Sabatier process. For this work, Sabatier shared the 1912 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Wilhelm Normann was awarded a patent in Germany in 1902 and in Britain in 1903 for the hydrogenation of liquid oils, which was the beginning of what is now a worldwide industry.

In 1922, Voorhees and Adams described an apparatus for performing hydrogenation under pressures above one atmosphere.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/ja01427a021 |title=The Use of the Oxides of Platinum for the Catalytic Reduction of Organic Compounds. I |date=1922 |last1=Voorhees |first1=V. |last2=Adams |first2=Roger |journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society |volume=44 |issue=6 |pages=1397–1405 |bibcode=1922JAChS..44.1397V }}</ref> The Parr shaker, the first product to allow hydrogenation using elevated pressures and temperatures, was commercialized in 1926 based on Voorhees and Adams' research and remains in widespread use. In 1924 Murray Raney developed a finely powdered form of nickel, which is widely used to catalyze hydrogenation reactions such as conversion of nitriles to amines or the production of margarine.

=== Homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation === The 1960s witnessed the development of well defined homogeneous catalysts using transition metal complexes, e.g., Wilkinson's catalyst (RhCl(PPh₃)₃). Soon thereafter cationic Rh and Ir were found to catalyze the hydrogenation of alkenes and carbonyls.<ref name=ACS>{{cite journal|last1=Schrock|first1=Richard R.|last2=Osborn|first2=John A.|title=Catalytic hydrogenation using cationic rhodium complexes. I. Evolution of the catalytic system and the hydrogenation of olefins|journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society|date=April 1976|volume=98|issue=8|pages=2134–2143|doi=10.1021/ja00424a020|bibcode=1976JAChS..98.2134S }}</ref> In the 1970s, asymmetric hydrogenation was demonstrated in the synthesis of {{Nowrap|L-DOPA}}, and the 1990s saw the invention of Noyori asymmetric hydrogenation.<ref>C. Pettinari, F. Marchetti, D. Martini "Metal Complexes as Hydrogenation Catalysts" Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry II, 2004, volume 9. pp. 75–139. {{doi|10.1016/B0-08-043748-6/09125-8}}</ref> The development of homogeneous hydrogenation was influenced by work started in the 1930s and 1940s on the oxo process and Ziegler–Natta polymerization.

==Specialized hydrogenation concepts== === Transfer hydrogenation === {{Main|Transfer hydrogenation}} [[File:THintermed.png|thumb|300px|right|The transition state of two transfer-hydrogenation reactions from ruthenium-hydride complexes onto carbonyls]] ''Transfer hydrogenation'' uses hydrogen-donor molecules other than molecular {{chem2|H2}}. These "sacrificial" hydrogen donors, which can also serve as solvents for the reaction, include hydrazine, formic acid, and alcohols such as isopropanol.<ref name="Wang+Astruc 2015">{{cite journal | last1=Wang | first1=Dong | last2=Astruc | first2=Didier | title=The Golden Age of Transfer Hydrogenation | journal=Chem. Rev. | volume=115 | issue=13 | date=2015 | issn=0009-2665 | doi=10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00203 | pages=6621–6686| pmid=26061159 }}</ref>

Coal liquifaction can be achieved by heating coal under hydrogen pressure. The process is enhanced in the presence of organic hydrogen donors such as tetrahydronaphthalene. In other words this process, which is not very competitive commercially, is a form of transfer hydrogenation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kaneko |first1=Takao |last2=Derbyshire |first2=Frank |last3=Makino |first3=Eiichiro |last4=Gray |first4=David |last5=Tamura |first5=Masaaki |last6=Li |first6=Kejian |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |chapter=Coal Liquefaction |date=2012 |doi=10.1002/14356007.a07_197.pub2 |isbn=978-3-527-30385-4 }}</ref>

In organic synthesis, transfer hydrogenation is useful for the asymmetric hydrogenation of polar unsaturated substrates, such as ketones, aldehydes and imines, by employing chiral catalysts.

=== Electrolytic hydrogenation === Polar substrates such as nitriles can be hydrogenated electrochemically, using protic solvents and reducing equivalents as the source of hydrogen.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1021/ed081p1350 | title = Catalytic Hydrogenation of Organic Compounds without H2 Supply: An Electrochemical System | year = 2004 | last1 = Navarro | first1 = Daniela Maria do Amaral Ferraz | last2 = Navarro | first2 = Marcelo | journal = Journal of Chemical Education | volume = 81 | issue = 9 | pages = 1350| bibcode = 2004JChEd..81.1350N | s2cid = 93416392 }}</ref>

===Metal-free hydrogenation=== For most practical purposes, hydrogenation requires a metal catalyst. Hydrogenation can, however, proceed from some hydrogen donors without catalysts. Illustrative hydrogen donors include diimide and aluminium isopropoxide, the latter illustrated by the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction. Some metal-free catalytic systems have been investigated. One such system for reduction of ketones consists of ''tert''-butanol and potassium tert-butoxide and very high temperatures.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1021/ja01072a028 | title = Homogeneous Hydrogenation in the Absence of Transition-Metal Catalysts | year = 1964 | last1 = Walling | first1 = Cheves. | last2 = Bollyky | first2 = Laszlo. | journal = Journal of the American Chemical Society | volume = 86 | issue = 18 | pages = 3750| bibcode = 1964JAChS..86.3750W }}</ref> The reaction depicted below describes the hydrogenation of benzophenone:

:500px|Base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones. A chemical kinetics study<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1021/ja016152r | title = Hydrogenation without a Transition-Metal Catalyst:&nbsp; On the Mechanism of the Base-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Ketones | year = 2002 | last1 = Berkessel | first1 = Albrecht | last2 = Schubert | first2 = Thomas J. S. | last3 = Müller | first3 = Thomas N. | journal = Journal of the American Chemical Society | volume = 124 | issue = 29 | pages = 8693–8 | pmid = 12121113| bibcode = 2002JAChS.124.8693B }}</ref> found this reaction is first-order in all three reactants suggesting a cyclic 6-membered transition state. Another system for metal-free hydrogenation is based on the phosphine-borane, compound '''1''', which has been called a ''frustrated Lewis pair''. It reversibly accepts dihydrogen at relatively low temperatures to form the phosphonium borate '''2''' which can reduce simple hindered imines.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1002/anie.200702908 | pmid = 17696181 | title = Metal-Free Catalytic Hydrogenation | year = 2007 | last1 = Chase | first1 = Preston A. | last2 = Welch | first2 = Gregory C. | last3 = Jurca | first3 = Titel | last4 = Stephan | first4 = Douglas W. | journal = Angewandte Chemie International Edition | volume = 46 | issue = 42 | pages = 8050–3}}</ref>

:400px|Metal free hydrogenation Phosphine Borane

== Equipment used for hydrogenation == Today's bench chemist has three main choices of hydrogenation equipment: * Batch hydrogenation under atmospheric conditions * Batch hydrogenation at elevated temperature and/or pressure<ref name=Apparatus>{{cite journal|last1=Adams|first1=Roger|last2=Voorhees|first2=V.|title=Apparatus for catalytic reduction|journal=Organic Syntheses|date=1928|volume=8|page=10|doi=10.15227/orgsyn.008.0010}}</ref> * Flow hydrogenation

=== Batch hydrogenation under atmospheric conditions === The original and still a commonly practised form of hydrogenation in teaching laboratories, this process is usually effected by adding solid catalyst to a round bottom flask of dissolved reactant which has been evacuated using nitrogen or argon gas and sealing the mixture with a penetrable rubber seal. Hydrogen gas is then supplied from a H₂-filled balloon. The resulting three phase mixture is agitated to promote mixing. Hydrogen uptake can be monitored, which can be useful for monitoring progress of a hydrogenation. This is achieved by either using a graduated tube containing a coloured liquid, usually aqueous copper sulfate or with gauges for each reaction vessel.

=== Batch hydrogenation at elevated temperature and/or pressure === Since many hydrogenation reactions such as hydrogenolysis of protecting groups and the reduction of aromatic systems proceed extremely sluggishly at atmospheric temperature and pressure, pressurised systems are popular. In these cases, catalyst is added to a solution of reactant under an inert atmosphere in a pressure vessel. Hydrogen is added directly from a cylinder or built in laboratory hydrogen source, and the pressurized slurry is mechanically rocked to provide agitation, or a spinning basket is used.<ref name=Apparatus /> Recent advances in electrolysis technology have led to the development of [https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/08/17/1553391/0/en/ThalesNano-Energy-Introduces-H-Genie-Revolutionary-Compact-High-Pressure-Hydrogen-Gas-Generation-Platform-for-Chemists.html high pressure hydrogen generators], which generate hydrogen up to 1,400 psi (100 bar) from water. Heat may also be used, as the pressure compensates for the associated reduction in gas solubility.

=== Industrial reactors === Catalytic hydrogenation is done in a tubular plug-flow reactor packed with a supported catalyst. The pressures and temperatures are typically high, although this depends on the catalyst. Catalyst loading is typically much lower than in laboratory batch hydrogenation, and various promoters are added to the metal, or mixed metals are used, to improve activity, selectivity and catalyst stability. The use of nickel is common despite its low activity, due to its low cost compared to precious metals.

Gas liquid induction reactors (hydrogenator) are also used for carrying out catalytic hydrogenation.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1016/0009-2509(82)80171-1 | title = Mechanically agitated gas–liquid reactors | year = 1982 | last1 = Joshi | first1 = J.B. | last2 = Pandit | first2 = A.B. | last3 = Sharma | first3 = M.M. | journal = Chemical Engineering Science | volume = 37 | issue = 6 | pages = 813| bibcode = 1982ChEnS..37..813J }}</ref>

== See also == {{Div col|colwidth=24em}} * Carbon neutral fuel * Dehydrogenation * H-Bio * Hydrodesulfurization, hydrotreater and oil desulfurization * Hydrogenation of carbon–nitrogen double bonds * Asymmetric hydrogenation * Timeline of hydrogen technologies * Transfer hydrogenation

{{Div col end}}

== References == {{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading == * {{cite journal|url=http://members.ift.org/NR/rdonlyres/27B49B9B-EA63-4D73-BAB4-42FEFCD72C68/0/crfsfsv4n1p00220030ms20040577.pdf|vauthors=Jang ES, Jung MY, Min DB|title=Hydrogenation for Low Trans and High Conjugated Fatty Acids|journal=Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety|volume=1|year=2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217185908/http://members.ift.org/NR/rdonlyres/27B49B9B-EA63-4D73-BAB4-42FEFCD72C68/0/crfsfsv4n1p00220030ms20040577.pdf|archive-date=2008-12-17}} * examples of hydrogenation from Organic Syntheses: ** [http://orgsynth.org/orgsyn/pdfs/CV7P0226.pdf Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 7, p.226 (1990).] ** [http://orgsynth.org/orgsyn/pdfs/CV8P0609.pdf Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 8, p.609 (1993).] ** [http://orgsynth.org/orgsyn/pdfs/CV5P0552.pdf Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 5, p.552 (1973).] ** [http://orgsynth.org/orgsyn/pdfs/CV4P0603.pdf Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 3, p.720 (1955).] ** [http://orgsynth.org/orgsyn/pdfs/CV6P0371.pdf Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 6, p.371 (1988).] * early work on transfer hydrogenation: ** {{cite journal | last1 = Davies | first1 = R. R. | last2 = Hodgson | first2 = H. H. | year = 1943 | title = 76. Catalytic reduction by formic acid under pressure. Part II. A comparison of copper and nickel as catalysts| doi = 10.1039/jr9430000281 | journal = J. Chem. Soc. | page = 281 }} ** {{cite journal | last1 = Leggether | first1 = B. E. | title = Reduction of Monohalogenated Nitrobenzenes with Hydrazine and Raney Nickel. A Convenient Preparation of Halogenated Anilines | last2 = Brown | first2 = R. K. | year = 1960 | doi = 10.1139/v60-320 | journal = Can. J. Chem. | volume = 38 | issue = 12| page = 2363 | doi-access = | bibcode = 1960CaJCh..38.2363L }} ** {{cite journal | last1 = Kuhn | first1 = L. P. | year = 1951 | title = Catalytic Reduction with Hydrazine| doi = 10.1021/ja01148a029 | journal = J. Am. Chem. Soc. | volume = 73 | issue = 4| page = 1510 | bibcode = 1951JAChS..73.1510K }}

== External links == {{Wikiquote}} * [https://books.google.com/books?id=4OIDAAAAMBAJ&pg=-PA107 "The Magic of Hydro"], ''Popular Mechanics'', June 1931, pp.&nbsp;107–109 – early article for the general public on hydrogenation of oil produced in the 1930s

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Category:Hydrogenation Category:Addition reactions Category:Homogeneous catalysis Category:Industrial processes Category:Hydrogen Category:Organic redox reactions Category:Oil refining Category:Oil shale technology Category:Synthetic fuel technologies