asetüüli

Asetüüli is the Estonian term for acetylene, a chemical compound with the formula C₂H₂. It is a colorless gas that is highly flammable and has a distinctive garlic-like odor. Acetylene is the simplest alkyne, a hydrocarbon characterized by a carbon-carbon triple bond.

Industrially, acetylene is produced primarily through the reaction of calcium carbide with water. It can also be manufactured by the thermal cracking of natural gas or other hydrocarbons. Historically, acetylene was widely used as a lighting source in carbide lamps, particularly in mining and for early automobiles.

The most significant modern application of acetylene is in oxy-acetylene welding and cutting. When burned with oxygen, acetylene produces an extremely hot flame, reaching temperatures of around 3,500 degrees Celsius (6,330 degrees Fahrenheit), which is sufficient to melt steel. This property makes it invaluable in metal fabrication and repair.

Acetylene also serves as a precursor in the synthesis of various organic chemicals, including vinyl chloride (used in PVC production), acrylic acid, and acetaldehyde. Its reactivity makes it a versatile building block in organic chemistry. Due to its instability and tendency to decompose explosively under pressure, acetylene is typically handled dissolved in acetone or dimethylformamide, which acts as a stabilizer.