Ethane
Ethane is a chemical compound with chemical formula C2H6, structural formula CH3-CH3, and simple display formula:
H H
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H - C - C - H
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H HIt is an alkane, that is, an aliphatic hydrocarbon. At ordinary pressure and temperature ethane is a colourless, odourless gas; boiling point is ?88.6°; melting point is ?183.3°.
It is the simplest hydrocarbon containing more than one carbon atom. Ethane is a prominent compound of industrial importance, by converting it to ethylene or using it as a building block for the petrochemical industry, for the synthesis both of polyethylene plastic and other small compounds.