etilene

Ethylene, also known as ethene, is the simplest alkene with the chemical formula C2H4. It is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and standard pressure, with a boiling point of about -103.7 °C. Ethylene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon and is highly reactive due to its carbon–carbon double bond. It is typically stored as a compressed gas or refrigerated liquid.

Industrially, ethylene is produced mainly by steam cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks such as naphtha, gas oil, or ethane derived from natural gas. This process gives a mixture of light hydrocarbons, with ethylene as a primary product. Ethylene is a central building block in the chemical industry and is the feedstock for many polymers and derivatives.

The most important use of ethylene is as a monomer for polyethylene, among the world’s most widely produced plastics. It is also used to manufacture a range of downstream products, including ethylene oxide (which leads to ethylene glycol and related plastics), vinyl chloride monomer (for PVC), and 1,2-dichloroethane (for PVC production). It also serves as a precursor for ethylbenzene, which is converted to styrene for polystyrene production.

In plants, ethylene acts as a natural plant hormone involved in regulating fruit ripening, flower opening, and leaf abscission. It is produced by many fruits and vegetables and is used commercially to regulate ripening during storage and transport.

Safety: Ethylene is highly flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air. Proper handling, ventilation, and containment are essential in industrial settings to minimize fire and health hazards.