Question

Give‌ ‌three‌ ‌uses‌ ‌of‌ ‌ethane.‌ ‌

Answer 1

Hint: Ethane is a colourless, odourless chemical combustible gas. It is represented as \[{C_2}{H_6}\]. It has many industrial uses and feedstock for production. Common name of \[{C_2}{H_6}\] is bi methyl or dimethyl. It is part of natural gas. \[{C_2}{H_6}\] is an alkane with molar mass \[30.07gmo{l^{ - 1}}\].

Complete step by step solution: Ethane is a hydrocarbon as it is a compound of carbon and hydrogen having molecular formula \[{C_2}{H_6}\]. It is the simplest hydrocarbon with a single carbon-carbon bond. It is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon that can be found underground in liquid form in rocks.

It is easily ignited and the vapours are heavier than air. High levels of ethane can cause suffocation from lack of oxygen. It is highly inflammable gas and causes dangerous fire hazards. \[{C_2}{H_6}\] is an organic compound which contains carbon covalently bonded with hydrogen. It is an important element of natural gas and is important for Earth’s atmosphere. Once natural gas breaks out to give ethane, \[{C_2}{H_6}\] creates ozone pollution which causes health and environment risks.

\[C{H_3}C{H_2}I + 2H \to {C_2}{H_6} + HI\]
       Ethane

Uses:
1. \[{C_2}{H_6}\] is mainly used for the production of ethane or ethylene by steam cracking. In petrochemical industry there are various ways of obtaining ethylene (\[{C_2}{H_4}\]) but steam cracking is a method in which hydrocarbon and steam are heated at a temperature range of \[750 - {790^ \circ }C\]. Thus, when ethane is the feedstock, \[{C_2}{H_4}\] is the product, and then by repeated and continuous distillation and compression, \[{C_2}{H_4}\] is separated from the mixture.
2. \[{C_2}{H_6}\] is used in the preparation of ethanol (\[{C_2}{H_5}OH\]), acetic acid (\[C{H_3}COOH\]) and acetaldehyde (\[C{H_3}CHO\]) which are further used in paints, varnishes, plastic and adhesive production.
3.\[{C_2}{H_6}\] is the most common and abundant element found in natural gas and so it finds application in many households. Also it is used as a volatile marker for investigation of lipid.

Note: The covalent bonding between ethane is two carbon atoms carrying four valence \[{e^ - }\] share a pair of \[{e^ - }\]. It is a linear compound as all four atoms lie in a straight line. \[{C_2}{H_6}\] has seven sigma bonds. Both carbon atoms in \[{C_2}{H_6}\] are \[s{p^3}\] hybridized with means they have tetrahedral geometry.