Copper compositions that are useful as hydrogenation catalysts are
disclosed. In particular, the copper compounds are catalysts for the
selective hydrogenation of oils that contain unsaturated fatty acyl
components such as unsaturated vegetable oils. Methods of preparing the
copper compositions are also disclosed. Methods of hydrogenating
unsaturated compositions that contain at least two sites of unsaturation
using the hydrogenation catalysts, along with products obtained from the
hydrogenation reactions described herein are also disclosed.