What is difference between hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis?
1 Answer
The key difference is that the former does not involve bond cleavage, but the latter does. Both are essentially catalytically driven reactions of organic molecules with hydrogen gas.
Explanation:
Hydrogenation refers to the reaction between a susbtance and molecular hydrogen
Hydrogenolysis refers to the breaking of a bond between two carbon atoms or between an atom of carbon and that of another element via reaction with hydrogen. Again, a catalyst is usually required. This process is the basis of hydrotreatment of base oil which is carried out in refineries.