ORGANIC CHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site ethene (C2H4) Also known as ethylene, the first member of the alkene family of hydrocarbons. Ethene is a colorless, flammable gas, with a slightly sweet smell. It burns in air with a luminous flame and forms an explosive mixture with pure oxygen. It combines directly with the halogens, e.g., with chlorine to form 1,2-dichloroethane. With hydrogen it forms ethane. Ethene is made by cracking hydrocarbons (notably ethane and propane) from petroleum and is an important raw material for making other organic chemicals, including ethanal, ethanol, ethyl chloride, diethyl ether, and ethane-1,2-diol. It can be polymerized to make polyethene. It is oxidized by air over a silver catalyst to ethylene oxide, a reactive gas used as a fumigant and to make plastics and emulsifiers, and hydrated to ethylene glycol. Ethene occurs naturally in plants, in which it serves as a growth substance. It is well known for its ability to stimulate the ripening of fruits. molecular weight 28.08 melting point -169.4°C boiling point -103.7°C Related category    • ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP