What type of bond is formed in the hydrogenation of an alkene?

In the hydrogenation of an alkene, a single bond is formed between carbon atoms. During this reaction, hydrogen gas is added across the double bond of the alkene, which transforms the alkene into an alkane. This reaction involves breaking the double bond (which consists of one sigma bond and one pi bond) of the alkene and replacing it with a single bond (a sigma bond) by connecting each carbon atom to a hydrogen atom.

This process is significant in organic chemistry as it increases the saturation of the hydrocarbon, leading to compounds that are often more stable and less reactive than their unsaturated counterparts. Understanding this transformation is crucial for grasping concepts related to reactivity and stability in organic compounds.