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Ethene: meaning, definitions and examples

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ethene

 

[ ˈɛθiːn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemical compound

Ethene, commonly known asethylene, is a colorless gas that is a hydrocarbon. It is the simplest alkene, characterized by a carbon-carbon double bond. Ethene is primarily used as a feedstock in the production of polyethylene, one of the most widely used plastics in the world.

Synonyms

C2H4, ethylene, ethylenic hydrocarbon

Examples of usage

  • Ethene is produced during the ripening of fruits.
  • The polymerization of ethene results in polyethylene.
  • Ethene is used to speed up the ripening process of bananas.

Translations

Translations of the word "ethene" in other languages:

🇵🇹 eteno

🇮🇳 इथीन

🇩🇪 Ethen

🇮🇩 etena

🇺🇦 етен

🇵🇱 eten

🇯🇵 エチレン

🇫🇷 éthène

🇪🇸 etileno

🇹🇷 eten

🇰🇷 에텐

🇸🇦 إيثين

🇨🇿 ethen

🇸🇰 etén

🇨🇳 乙烯

🇸🇮 eten

🇮🇸 etýlen

🇰🇿 этен

🇬🇪 ეთენ

🇦🇿 etilen

🇲🇽 etileno

Etymology

The term 'ethene' was introduced in the early 19th century, deriving from the Greek word 'aithō,' meaning 'to burn,' in reference to its flammability. The 'eth-' prefix corresponds to its two carbon atoms, while '-ene' indicates the presence of a double bond, a key feature of alkenes. Ethene was first isolated by Scottish chemist William Henry in 1795, although it was not recognized as a distinct chemical entity until later. Its production and study became crucial in the development of organic chemistry and industrial processes, particularly in the 20th century with the rise of petrochemical industries. Today, ethene plays a vital role in modern chemical manufacturing and agriculture.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,093, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.