Ethylene
Ethylene
Ethylene (pronounced /ˈɛθɪliːn/), also known as ethene, is a hydrocarbon which has the formula C2H4 or H2C=CH2. It is a colorless flammable gas with a faint "sweet and musky" odor when pure.
Etymology
The name ethylene was used in this sense as early as 1852. The term comes from the Greek words "aitho" (I light or kindle) and "ene" (related to the word "one").
Related Terms
- Hydrocarbon: An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.
- Flammable: Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly.
- Gas: One of the four fundamental states of matter.
- Odor: A volatilized chemical compound, generally at a very low concentration, that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of olfaction.
Uses
Ethylene is widely used in the chemical industry, and its worldwide production (over 150 million tonnes in 2016) exceeds that of any other organic compound. Much of this production goes toward polyethylene, a widely used plastic containing polymer chains of ethylene units in various chain lengths.
Health Effects
Inhalation of ethylene can affect the nervous system and cause dizziness, headache, nausea and unconsciousness. Ethylene has been linked to cardiac arrhythmia.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ethylene
- Wikipedia's article - Ethylene
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