Acetylengas

Acetylengas, or acetylene gas, is a chemical compound with the formula C2H2. It is the simplest alkyne, consisting of a carbon–carbon triple bond. It is a colorless gas that is highly flammable; in its pure form it is essentially odorless, though impure samples may carry a distinct odor. The flame temperature of acetylene is very high, about 3150 °C when burned with oxygen, which makes it useful for metalworking.

Production and storage: Industrial production occurs mainly by the reaction of calcium carbide with water: CaC2 + H2O → C2H2 + Ca(OH)2. Pure acetylene can be unstable under pressure and may decompose explosively. To store safely, it is dissolved in a solvent (typically acetone) inside a porous solid filler within steel cylinders. The acetylene is released through a regulator as needed.

Applications: The primary modern use is as a fuel for welding and cutting with an oxygen or air flame. It is also an important chemical building block in organic synthesis; it is used to produce vinyl chloride monomer for PVC and serves as a precursor to other chemicals such as acetaldehyde and acetic acid in various processes.

History: Acetylene was first described by Edmund Davy in 1836. Commercial production and use began in the late 19th century, with acetylene lighting and later welding applications driving widespread adoption.

Safety: Acetylene is highly flammable and forms explosive mixtures with air at certain concentrations. It can be sensitive to heat, shock, and high pressure. Cylinders must be designed for dissolved acetylene and handled with appropriate equipment.