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Ethylene, also known as ethene, is the simplest alkene with the chemical formula C2H4. It is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature, with a boiling point of −104 °C. Ethylene is a fundamental building block of the chemical industry and also functions as a plant hormone that regulates ripening.

Production and occurrence: Ethylene is mainly produced by steam cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks such as naphtha, gas oils, or ethane. It is typically co-produced with other light olefins in large refinery-cracker complexes and distributed as a commodity chemical for widespread use in industry.

Major uses and reactions: The primary use is as a monomer for polyethylene, one of the most widely produced plastics. Ethylene is also converted to ethylene oxide, which yields ethylene glycol, and it can be hydrated to give ethanol. It participates in typical alkene reactions, including hydrogenation, halogenation, hydrohalogenation, and polymerization. Ethylene also serves as a precursor to many other vinyl compounds, such as vinyl chloride and ethylbenzene.

Biological and environmental aspects: In plants, ethylene acts as a hormone that promotes fruit ripening, leaf abscission, and responses to stress. In the environment, it is a trace gas produced by both natural processes and human activities and participates in atmospheric chemistry.

Safety: Ethylene is highly flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air. It is stored and transported under controlled conditions, with appropriate ventilation, monitoring, and leak-detection measures.