Ethylene (C₂H ₄), also known as ethene, is a colorless, flammable gas and is an important hydrocarbon in chemical processes. Just about every home and business in the modern world contains products made with ethylene. This organic gas is the starting point for the manufacture of most plastic materials. These plastics are used to make containers for soft drinks and mouthwash, coverings for electric wires, plastic bowls and plastic food wrap. About half of the ethylene produced in the United States goes to make polyethylene, the most important derivative of ethylene. Synthetic rubber is also made with an ethylene derivative, and one of ethylene's compounds is used to make antifreeze for car radiators. Ethylene also has the ability to hasten fruit ripening makes it commercially important. U.S. production of ethylene exceeded 52 billion lb (23.6 million kg) in 1997.

Ethylene belongs to the family of hydrocarbons called olefins. It is...