etyyne

Etyyne is a chemical compound with the formula C2H2. It is a simple alkyne, characterized by a carbon-carbon triple bond. At standard temperature and pressure, ethyne is a colorless gas. It is also known by its common name, acetylene.

Etyyne is highly flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air. It is the simplest hydrocarbon with a triple bond and is therefore a fundamental building block in organic chemistry. Industrially, ethyne is primarily produced through the reaction of calcium carbide with water, or by the partial combustion of methane.

The most well-known application of ethyne is in oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, where its combustion with oxygen produces a very hot flame, reaching temperatures of up to 3,500 degrees Celsius. Etyyne is also used as a precursor in the synthesis of various organic chemicals, including plastics, solvents, and pharmaceuticals. It can undergo addition reactions across its triple bond, leading to a wide range of derivative compounds. While less common now, it was once used for lighting in miners' lamps and early automobiles. Its production and handling require careful safety measures due to its inherent instability and flammability.