The mechanism of catalytic hydrogenation typically involves the following steps:
Adsorption: The unsaturated hydrocarbon and hydrogen molecules adsorb onto the surface of the catalyst. Dissociation: Hydrogen molecules dissociate into individual atoms on the catalyst's surface. Migration: The dissociated hydrogen atoms migrate to the sites where the unsaturated hydrocarbon is adsorbed. Reaction: The hydrogen atoms add to the carbon atoms of the unsaturated bond, converting it into a saturated bond. Desorption: The newly formed saturated hydrocarbon desorbs from the catalyst's surface, freeing up the catalyst for another reaction cycle.
