Hydrogenation of vegetable oils using nickel catalyst is an example of

Hydrogenation of vegetable oils is a classic example of an addition reaction. Vegetable oils contain long unsaturated carbon chains with double bonds [1]. In this process, hydrogen atoms are added across these double or triple carbon-carbon bonds in the presence of a catalyst like nickel or palladium [1]. This chemical reaction converts unsaturated compounds into saturated ones by transforming double bonds into single bonds without the loss of any atoms from the original reactants [2]. Industrially, this addition reaction is used to convert liquid vegetable oils into solid or semi-solid fats like margarine [2]. Unlike substitution reactions where an atom is replaced, or elimination reactions where atoms are removed to form double bonds, hydrogenation involves the direct addition of hydrogen molecules to the unsaturated substrate [1].

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > 4.3.3 Addition Reaction > p. 71
2. [2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/hydrogenation