Yes and no. If 1 mole H2 is added to a mole of 2-butyne, then 2-butene is formed but if TWO moles H2 are added to a mole of 2-butyne, then the product is butane.
CH3C(triplebond)CCH3 + H2 ==> CH3CH=CHCH3.
The problem is stopping it half-way home.
CH3C(triplebond)CCH3 + 2H2 ==> CH3CH2CH2CH3
Usually a catalyst is added to help things along and once it gets started its tough to stop it at the -ene stage.
I have a question that say 2-butyne reacts with hydrogen and butane is the product. Wouldn't 2-butene be the product because there are only 2 hydrogens and therefore they can only break one bond not 2.
2 answers
OK, thanks DrBob :)