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Ethane

Ethane (C₂H₆) is a saturated hydrocarbon consisting of two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, with sp³ hybridized carbon forming four sigma bonds. It has a tetrahedral geometry with bond angles of ~109.5° and can exist in staggered and eclipsed conformations due to free rotation around the C–C bond. Ethane is primarily used as a fuel and feedstock in the petrochemical industry, and it is relatively unreactive but can undergo combustion and halogenation.

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162 views4 pages

Ethane

Ethane (C₂H₆) is a saturated hydrocarbon consisting of two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, with sp³ hybridized carbon forming four sigma bonds. It has a tetrahedral geometry with bond angles of ~109.5° and can exist in staggered and eclipsed conformations due to free rotation around the C–C bond. Ethane is primarily used as a fuel and feedstock in the petrochemical industry, and it is relatively unreactive but can undergo combustion and halogenation.

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Molecular Structure of Ethane (C₂H₆)

Ethane is a saturated hydrocarbon (alkane) with the chemical formula C₂H₆, consisting of two
carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms. It’s the second simplest alkane after methane.

Bonding and Hybridization

Each carbon atom in ethane is sp³ hybridized, forming four sigma (σ) bonds:

●​ Three C–H bonds with hydrogen atoms​

●​ One C–C bond with the other carbon atom​

So, the C–C bond is a single σ bond formed by the overlap of one sp³ orbital from each
carbon. Each carbon–hydrogen bond is also a σ bond formed by overlap between an sp³ orbital
on carbon and the 1s orbital of hydrogen.

Structure and Geometry

●​ The geometry around each carbon atom is tetrahedral, just like in methane​

●​ Bond angles: ~109.5°​

●​ C–C bond length: ~1.54 Å​

●​ C–H bond length: ~1.09 Å​

Though the carbon atoms are connected by a single bond, this bond allows free rotation,
meaning the molecule can adopt various conformations (shapes), the most common being:
●​ Staggered conformation – more stable​

●​ Eclipsed conformation – slightly less stable due to torsional strain​

This rotation is an important feature in understanding the physical behavior of ethane and other
alkanes.

Physical Properties

●​ State: Colorless, odorless gas at room temperature​

●​ Boiling point: –88.5 °C​

●​ Melting point: –182.8 °C​

●​ Insoluble in water, but soluble in nonpolar solvents​

●​ Slightly heavier than methane​

Reactivity

Like all alkanes, ethane is relatively unreactive under normal conditions due to the strength
and non-polarity of C–C and C–H bonds. However, it can undergo:
●​ Combustion in oxygen to form CO₂ and H₂O​

●​ Halogenation in the presence of UV light (e.g., ethane + Cl₂ → ethyl chloride)​

Sources and Uses

Ethane is a natural component of natural gas and is also obtained during petroleum refining.
It is used:

●​ As a fuel​

●​ As a feedstock in the petrochemical industry​

●​ In the production of ethylene (C₂H₄) through a process called cracking​

●​ To produce plastics like polyethylene​

Quick Comparison: Ethane vs Methane

Property Methane (CH₄) Ethane (C₂H₆)

No. of Carbons 1 2

Geometry Tetrahedral Tetrahedral (around both


C)

Bond Types Only C–H C–C and C–H

Rotation Not applicable Free rotation about C–C


Use Fuel, raw material Fuel, ethylene production

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