What is the process in which hydrogen is introduced to vegetable oils to make them saturated known as?

1 Answer
Jan 2, 2017

#"Hydrogenation............"#

Explanation:

Hydrogenation of vegetable oils and animal fats is a standard industrial procedure. The more saturated a fat is, the longer its shelf-life. Why? Because a site of unsaturation, an olefinic bond, is potentially a reactive site that can be oxidized.

Of course, these days we are sold on the benefits of unsaturated fats. #"A priori"#, an unsaturated fat will yield less energy upon combustion, and the #C=C# double bond is harder to metabolize than #C-H# bonds.