What are the conditions for the hydrogenation of ethene?

The hydrogenation of ethene involves the addition of hydrogen across the double bond, resulting in the formation of ethane. This reaction typically requires a catalyst to proceed efficiently. The ideal conditions for this reaction usually involve using hydrogen gas and a nickel catalyst—commonly at temperatures around 150 degrees Celsius.

Nickel is a widely used catalyst for the hydrogenation of alkenes due to its effectiveness in facilitating the reaction without requiring overly harsh conditions. The increased temperature helps to speed up the reaction rate, making the process more efficient.

In contrast, the other options either use incorrect catalysts or unsuitable conditions for the hydrogenation process. For example, using platinum is a valid option, but it typically operates at lower temperatures than those stated in the correct choice. Additionally, a palladium catalyst with oxygen does not pertain to hydrogenation, which focuses solely on the addition of hydrogen, and using iron at room temperature would not effectively facilitate the reaction due to low activity compared to nickel under the mentioned conditions.