Question

The process used in the conversion of triolein to tristearin is:
A.Hydrolysis
B.Hydration
C.Hydrogenation
D.Dehydrogenation

Answer 1

Triolein is a symmetrical triglyceride and is derived from glycerol and three units of unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid. Triolein represents 4-30% of olive oil and the chemical formula of triolein is ${C_{57}}{H_{104}}{O_6}$.

Complete step by step answer:
As we know the triolein is an unsaturated glyceride and tristearin is a saturated glyceride. The conversation of the unsaturated organic compound to a saturated organic compound is carried out by the hydrogenation reaction. The hydrogenation reaction is defined as the addition of hydrogen in the presence of catalysts such as nickel, platinum, palladium, and their oxides. For high-pressure hydrogenation reaction, copper chromite and nickel supported on kieselguhr (which is loose or porous diatomite) are extremely used catalysts.
Thus the process used for the conversion of triolein to tristearin is hydrogenation.

So, the correct answer is Option C.

Additional Information:
The addition of hydrogen in an unsaturated organic compound is a type of redox reaction that can be thermodynamically favorable. The reaction rate for most of the hydrogenation reaction is negligible in the absence of a catalyst. In the absence of a catalyst, hydrogenation is carried out at a very high temperature.

Note: There is a lot of industrial and commercial application of hydrogenation reaction known. In the food industry, liquid food oils are hydrogenated to form solid eatable food. In the petroleum industry, various hydrocarbons are hydrogenated to form alkanes in gasoline. Hydrogenation of coal is carried out to provide an alternate source of fuel. For the production of methanol in large quantities, hydrogenation of carbon monoxide is used.