Etylén

Etylén, also known as ethene, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C2H4. It is a simple alkene, characterized by the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond. At room temperature and pressure, etylén is a colorless gas with a faint sweet odor. It is a highly flammable gas and is one of the most important building blocks in the petrochemical industry.

Etylén is primarily produced through the steam cracking of hydrocarbons, such as ethane, naphtha, or gas oil. This process involves heating these feedstocks to high temperatures in the presence of steam, which breaks down larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones, including etylén. The resulting mixture is then cooled and separated to isolate the etylén.

The vast majority of etylén produced is used in the manufacture of polyethylene, a widely used plastic. Polyethylene finds applications in packaging, films, bottles, and a multitude of other consumer and industrial products. Etylén is also a precursor for other important chemicals, including ethylene oxide, which is used to produce ethylene glycol (antifreeze) and polyester fibers. Other derivatives include vinyl chloride, used to make PVC, and styrene, used in polystyrene.

In nature, etylén is a plant hormone that plays a role in fruit ripening, flower senescence, and abscission. It is produced by many fruits and vegetables and can be used commercially to accelerate the ripening process of certain produce. Due to its significance in both industrial processes and biological functions, etylén is a compound of considerable economic and scientific interest.