asetyylikaasu

Asetyylikaasu, also known as acetylene, is a chemical compound with the formula C2H2. It is a colorless gas, highly flammable, and has a characteristic garlic-like odor when impure. Acetylene is the simplest alkyne, meaning it contains a carbon-carbon triple bond. This triple bond makes it a highly reactive molecule.

The primary industrial method for producing acetylene is through the reaction of calcium carbide with water. In this process, calcium carbide (CaC2) reacts with water (H2O) to produce acetylene gas (C2H2) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). Historically, acetylene was also produced by the destructive distillation of coal.

Acetylene has several important industrial applications. It is widely used as a fuel in oxy-acetylene welding and cutting torches due to the extremely high temperatures (up to 3,500 °C or 6,330 °F) that can be achieved when it burns with oxygen. This high flame temperature makes it ideal for melting and joining metals.

Beyond its use as a fuel, acetylene is also a significant feedstock in the chemical industry. It is used in the synthesis of various organic compounds, including vinyl chloride (a precursor to PVC plastic), acetaldehyde, and acetic acid. Its reactivity makes it a versatile building block for a range of chemicals. Due to its instability and tendency to decompose explosively under pressure, acetylene is typically stored dissolved in a solvent like acetone within a porous material.