Etyleen

Etelyeen is not a standard term in chemistry. In many cases, it is a misspelling or transliteration of ethylene (ethene), the simplest alkene, or, in Dutch texts, the word ethyleen. The article thus primarily concerns ethylene.

Ethylene (IUPAC name ethene) is a hydrocarbon with formula C2H4. It is an unsaturated, colorless gas at room temperature, widely used as a starting material in the chemical industry. The molecule features a carbon–carbon double bond (CH2=CH2), which makes it more reactive than alkanes.

Industrial production and uses: Ethylene is produced mainly by steam cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks such as ethane, propane, naphtha, or gas oil. It is a key building block for polymers, most notably polyethylene, and for several intermediates such as ethylene oxide and ethylbenzene (which in turn yields styrene). Ethylene is also a plant hormone used to regulate fruit ripening in agriculture.

Safety and handling: Ethylene is highly flammable and stored under pressure in appropriate containers. It forms explosive mixtures with air in certain ranges and requires careful handling with adequate ventilation and detection systems.

See also: Ethene, Ethylene oxide, Polyethylene, Plant hormone ethylene.