Final answer:
The assertion that platinum catalyzes the hydrogenation of ethylene is true. Hydrogenation involves using a platinum or palladium catalyst under high H2 gas pressures to add hydrogen to ethylene, resulting in ethane.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that platinum is used to catalyze the hydrogenation of ethylene is true. Hydrogenation is the addition of hydrogen to another molecule, and in this context, it refers to adding hydrogen (H2) across the double bond of ethylene (also known as ethene) to produce ethane. In the hydrogenation reaction, conditions may require high pressures of H2 gas and the use of a catalyst, which is often platinum or palladium, to proceed at a reasonable rate. This process is important in various industries, such as the food industry, where hydrogenation is used to convert vegetable oils into solids, like margarine.