Ethylene – Formula, Structure, Function, Use and FAQ

Ethylene

Ethylene- Formula: Ethylene is an organic compound with the molecular formula C2H4. It is the simplest alkene molecule. Ethylene is the most important petrochemical, and is used to make plastics, fibers, elastomers, and other chemicals.

• Ethylene is produced by catalytic cracking of natural gas, and is also a by-product of the refining of crude oil. It is widely used to make plastics, such as polyethylene, and fibers, such as polyester. Ethylene is also used to make elastomers, such as ethylene-propylene rubber, and other chemicals.
• Ethylene is a flammable gas with a faint sweet odor. It is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure. It is soluble in water and has a boiling point of -103.7 degrees Celsius.
• Ethylene is a hazardous material and must be handled with care. It can cause skin and eye irritation, and can be toxic if inhaled.
• Ethylene is a hydrocarbon gas that is used in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and other chemicals. It is also used as a ripening agent for fruits and vegetables. It is produced in response to stress, such as wounding or disease. Ethylene is also a natural weed killer and can be used to control weed growth. Ethylene is regarded as a multifunctional phytohormone that regulates both growth, and senescence. It promotes or inhibits growth and senescence processes depending on its concentration, timing of application, and the plant species.
• Ethylene is the chemical compound. The formula for this is C2H4.It has four hydrogen atoms bound. It is referred as gas olefiant or oil making gas. Ethylene, C2H4, is the simplest alkene, and because it contains a double bond it an unsaturated hydrocarbon.
• Ethylene is used in the production of fabricated plastics, antifreeze; making fibers; to manufacture ethylene oxide, polyethylene for plastics, alcohol, mustard gas, and other organics.
• Ethylene is a hydrocarbon. As the name suggests it has four atoms of hydrogen bonds that are paired with carbon atoms with a double bond. All these six atoms H-C-H form an angle of 117.4°, close to the 120° to form a hybridized carbon sp².

Ethylene Structure

The ethylene molecule is composed of two carbon atoms that are covalently bonded together, with each carbon atom also covalently bonded to two hydrogen atoms. The carbon-carbon bond is a double bond, meaning that the two carbon atoms share two pairs of electrons. The carbon-hydrogen bonds are single bonds.

Ethylene Function

Ethylene is a plant hormone that is responsible for many of the changes that take place in plants as they grow. It is produced in the leaves and is transported to other parts of the plant where it causes the flowers to develop, the fruit to ripen, and the leaves to fall off. It is also responsible for the changes that take place in the plant when it is stressed, such as when it is subjected to cold temperatures or to a lack of water.

 

Uses of ethylene

• Ethylene is a colorless and flammable gas with a strong odor. It is the simplest alkene hydrocarbon. It is used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic fibers, and other chemicals.
• Ethylene is a gas that is used in a variety of ways. It is a natural gas that is used to produce plastics and other materials. It is also used to produce ethanol, which is used as a fuel. Ethylene is also used to produce ethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze.
• Ethylene is a hydrocarbon gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is the simplest alkene, and is a gas at room temperature. Ethylene is flammable and can be explosive in high concentrations. It is used in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and other chemicals.