decahydrogenation

Decahydrogenation is a chemical process that involves the removal of ten hydrogen atoms from a molecule. This is a significant reduction in hydrogen content, as indicated by the prefix "deca-" meaning ten. The process typically occurs under specific reaction conditions, often involving catalysts and elevated temperatures or pressures. The removal of hydrogen can lead to the formation of unsaturated bonds within the molecule, such as double or triple bonds, or it can result in ring formation or rearrangement of the molecular structure.

The specific outcome of decahydrogenation depends on the substrate molecule and the reaction pathway employed. It is a type of dehydrogenation reaction, a broader class of reactions where hydrogen is removed. Decahydrogenation is often used in organic synthesis to modify the properties of organic compounds, for example, to increase their reactivity or alter their physical characteristics. While not as commonly discussed as simpler dehydrogenation reactions, it represents a substantial transformation of a molecule's hydrogen content.