Heat of hydrogenation

Definition

The heat of hydrogenation is the amount of energy released when a double bond in an alkene reacts with hydrogen gas to form a single bond, turning it into an alkane. This process is exothermic, indicating that energy is given off during the conversion.

Related terms

Alkene: Hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond, characterized by their reactivity and ability to undergo addition reactions.

Exothermic Reaction: A chemical reaction that releases energy by light or heat, indicating that the products have lower energy than the reactants.

Hydrogenation: The chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and another compound or element, usually in presence of a catalyst, resulting in saturation of organic compounds