Overview

Ethylene (ETH-ih-leen) is a colorless, flammable gas with a sweet odor and taste. It is the simplest alkene. Alkenes are hydrocarbons that contain one or more double bonds. Ethylene was first prepared in 1794 by a group of Dutch chemists including J. R. Deiman, A. Paets van Troostwyk, N. Bondt, and A. Lauwerenburgh. They treated ethanol (ethyl alcohol; C₂H₅OH) with concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and obtained ethylene, although they were incorrect in believing that the compound also contained oxygen.

Key Facts

Other Names:

Ethene; bicarburetted hydrogen; olefiant gas

Formula:

CH₂=CH₂

Elements:

Carbon, hydrogen

Compound Type:

Alkene; unsaturated hydrocarbon (organic)

State:

Gas

Molecular Weight:

28.05 g/mol

Melting Point:

−169.15°C (−272.47°F)

Boiling Point:

−103.77°C (−154.79°F)

Solubility:

Insoluble in water; slightly soluble in ethyl alcohol, benzene, and acetone; soluble in ether

Ethylene occurs naturally in petroleum and natural gas, but only to a very small percentage. It...