During hydrogenation of oils which of the following catalysts is commonly used?

Options

A. Palladium metal
B. Nickel
C. Iron
D. Vanadium pentoxide

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Hydrogenation**:
- Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction that involves the addition of hydrogen (H₂) to a compound, typically an unsaturated organic compound. This process is commonly used to convert liquid vegetable oils into solid or semi-solid fats.

2. **Identifying the Catalysts**:
- The question asks for the catalyst commonly used during the hydrogenation of oils. The options provided are:
- A) Palladium metal
- B) Nickel
- C) Iron
- D) Vanadium pentoxide

3. **Evaluating Each Option**:
- **Palladium Metal**: While palladium can be used as a catalyst in various reactions, it is not the most common catalyst for hydrogenation of oils.
- **Nickel**: Nickel is widely used as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of oils due to its effectiveness and ability to provide a large surface area for the reaction to occur.
- **Iron**: Iron is not typically used in the hydrogenation of oils.
- **Vanadium Pentoxide**: This compound is primarily used as a catalyst in oxidation reactions, not hydrogenation.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the evaluation, the catalyst that is commonly used for the hydrogenation of oils is **Nickel (Option B)**.

**Final Answer**: The correct answer is **B) Nickel**.

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