ETHYLENE Meaning and
Definition
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Ethylene is a colorless, flammable gas with a mildly sweet odor that belongs to the group of hydrocarbon compounds known as alkenes. It is composed of two carbon atoms and four hydrogen atoms, with a double bond between the carbon atoms. Ethylene is the simplest and most important member of the alkene family.
It plays a crucial role in the field of chemistry as it is a vital starting material for a wide variety of chemical products. Ethylene is primarily used in the production of polyethylene, one of the most widely used plastics worldwide. Additionally, it is utilized in the synthesis of numerous other chemicals, including ethyleneoxide, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and vinyl chloride.
In the plant kingdom, ethylene functions as a plant hormone, influencing plant growth and development. It plays a significant role in the ripening of fruits, as it triggers a series of physiological changes that result in the softening and color change of the fruit. Ethylene is also involved in regulating various aspects of plant growth, such as leaf shedding, flower and bud opening, and senescence.
In industry, ethylene is typically obtained through a process called steam cracking, where hydrocarbons like natural gas, oil, or coal are subjected to high temperatures to break them down into smaller molecules, resulting in ethylene formation.
Overall, ethylene serves as a vital raw material in both the chemical industry and various biological processes, making it an essential compound with numerous applications.
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Etymology of ETHYLENE
The word "ethylene" derives from the combination of two terms: "ethylen" and the suffix "-ene".
The term "ethylen" comes from the German chemist Friedrich Reil, who discovered the gas in 1795. He named it "Leichtzündliches Gas" (meaning "easily ignitable gas"). Later, in 1866, the French chemist Charles-Adolphe Wurtz found that the gas was a hydrocarbon compound and proposed the name "ethylene", which he derived from "ether" and "oleum" (Latin for oil). This name was chosen to indicate that ethylene is a gaseous hydrocarbon similar to ethyl ether and that it can be obtained from oil.
The suffix "-ene" is a common ending in organic chemistry used to designate unsaturated hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon double bonds.
Similar spelling word for ETHYLENE
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