ethane
Sign in to saveEthane ( , ) is a naturally occurring organic chemical compound with chemical formula . At standard temperature and pressure, ethane is a colorless, odorless gas. Like many hydrocarbons, ethane is isolated on an industrial scale from natural gas and as a petrochemical by-product of petroleum refining. Its chief use is as feedstock for ethylene production. The ethyl group is formally, although rarely practically, derived from ethane.
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Ethane is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally and is extracted from natural gas and petroleum refining for industrial use. Its primary importance lies in serving as the raw material for producing ethylene, a widely used chemical compound.
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11 sectionsContents
- History
- Properties
- Atmospheric and extraterrestrial
- Chemistry
- Production
- Usage
- In the laboratory
- Health and safety
- See also
- References
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Ethane ( , ) is a naturally occurring organic chemical compound with chemical formula . At standard temperature and pressure, ethane is a colorless, odorless gas. Like many hydrocarbons, ethane is isolated on an industrial scale from natural gas and as a petrochemical by-product of petroleum refining. Its chief use is as feedstock for ethylene production. The ethyl group is formally, although rarely practically, derived from ethane.
== History == Ethane was first synthesised in 1834 by Michael Faraday, applying electrolysis of a potassium acetate solution. He mistook the hydrocarbon product of this reaction for methane and did not investigate it further. The process is now called Kolbe electrolysis: CH3COO− → CH3• + CO2 + e− CH3• + •CH3 → C2H6