Ethylene << EHTH uh leen >>, an organic (carbon-based) gas, is one of the most important industrial chemicals. Tens of millions of tons of ethylene are produced worldwide each year.
The chemical industry uses ethylene to prepare compounds such as ethylene oxide, polyethylene, ethyl alcohol, ethylbenzene, ethyl chloride, and ethylene dichloride. Ethylene oxide is used to make ethylene glycol (antifreeze). The plastics industry uses polyethylene, and converts ethylbenzene to styrene, which is used for plastics and synthetic rubber. Ethylene is also used to help ripen fruit.
Ethylene is prepared by heating ethane and propane to high temperatures in the presence of steam. Ethylene is also obtained as a by-product of petroleum refinery processes.
Ethylene is a colorless, flammable gas that has a faint, sweet odor. It is slightly lighter than air. Ethylene is the first member of the olefin series of aliphatic hydrocarbons. Ethylene mixed with air is explosive.
