Etüleenirühmast

Etüleenirühmast is a term used in organic chemistry to refer to the ethene molecule, also known as ethylene, and its derivatives. Ethene (C2H4) is a simple alkene with the chemical formula CH2=CH2. It is characterized by a carbon-carbon double bond, which makes it a reactive molecule. The ethene molecule itself is a colorless gas at room temperature and has a sweet odor. It is a fundamental building block in the petrochemical industry, primarily used in the production of polymers such as polyethylene, which is one of the most common plastics worldwide.

Beyond its use in polymer synthesis, ethene plays a significant role as a plant hormone. In plants, it regulates various growth and developmental processes, including fruit ripening, flower development, and leaf senescence. This hormonal activity is crucial for understanding plant physiology and has applications in agriculture for controlling ripening and extending the shelf life of fruits.

The ethene functional group, the carbon-carbon double bond, is also present in a vast array of organic compounds. These compounds, often referred to as ethene derivatives or compounds containing an ethenoid group, exhibit characteristic reactions due to the pi bond. These reactions include addition reactions, where atoms or groups are added across the double bond, and polymerization, the process by which ethene monomers link together to form long chains. Understanding the properties and reactivity of the ethene group is central to many areas of organic chemistry and its applications.