What is the Difference Between Ethane Ethene and Ethyne?

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Ethane, ethene, and ethyne are hydrocarbon compounds composed of two carbon atoms, but they differ in their chemical bond arrangements and hybridization. Here are the main differences between these compounds:

  1. Chemical Formula: Ethane has the chemical formula C2H6, ethene has the formula C2H4, and ethyne has the formula C2H2.
  2. Hybridization: In ethane, both carbons are sp3 hybridized because they have four bonds. In ethene, the carbon atoms are sp2 hybridized because each carbon uses a p orbital in order to form a double bond. In ethyne, the carbon atoms are sp hybridized because they each use 2 p orbitals in order to form a triple bond.
  3. Bonding: Ethane has single bonds between the two carbon atoms, ethene has a double bond between the carbon atoms, and ethyne has a triple bond between the carbon atoms.

All three compounds are gases at room temperature and are found in crude oil and natural gas. They are all unsaturated hydrocarbons, meaning they can undergo addition reactions.

Comparative Table: Ethane Ethene vs Ethyne

Ethane, Ethene, and Ethyne are hydrocarbon compounds made of only hydrogen and carbon atoms. They are different from each other based on the arrangement of the atoms and the chemical bonds. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between these compounds:

Property Ethane Ethene Ethyne
Chemical Formula C2H6 C2H4 C2H2
Molar Mass 30.07 g/mol - -
Melting Point -169.2 °C - -
Boiling Point -103.7°C - -
Carbon Hybridization sp3 sp2 sp
Odor Characteristic sweet odor - -
Uses Used as a monomer for the production of polymers such as polyethylene via addition - -
Plant Hormone Ethene is a plant hormone which can regulate the fruit ripening - -

Ethane has sp3 hybridized carbon atoms, Ethene has sp2 hybridized carbon atoms, and Ethyne has sp hybridized carbon atoms. Ethane is an organic compound with the chemical formula C2H6, Ethene with the chemical formula C2H4, and Ethyne with the chemical formula C2H2. Ethene is used as a monomer for the production of polymers such as polyethylene via addition, and it is a plant hormone that can regulate fruit ripening.