What was Paul Sabatier's Contribution to Catalysis?
Paul Sabatier's most significant contribution to catalysis was his discovery of the hydrogenation of organic compounds in the presence of finely divided metals such as nickel. This discovery, known as the Sabatier reaction, is a critical process in the production of hydrogenated oils and various other industrial chemicals. His work demonstrated how metal catalysts could facilitate chemical reactions, leading to more efficient and economical industrial processes.
