Ethane

Last updated: March 19, 2023

Ethane is an organic compound with formula C₂H₆.

Table of contents

Names

List of substance names

Nomenclature

Name

Typical name: Ethane

Substitutive nomenclature: Dimethane

Formulae and structures

List of formulae

Formula name

Formula

Typical formula: C₂H₆

Molecular formula: C₂H₆

Empirical formula: CH₃

Condensed formula: CH₃CH₃

Structural formula

Structural formula with no C–H bond

Skeletal formula

Lewis structure

Colored Lewis structure

Properties

List of substance properties

Item

Value

Name: Ethane

Formula: C₂H₆

Appearance: Colorless gas

Odor: Odorless

Molar mass: 30.070 g/mol

Density: 1.356 g/L^[1]
Gas, 0°C; 0.5466 g/cm³^[2]
Liquid, -89°C

Melting point: −182.8 °C^[1]; −182.77 °C^[2]

Boiling point: −88 °C^[1]; −88.6 °C^[2]

Flash point: −135 °C^[1]

Constituents

Constituent atoms

Atom	Name	Oxidation state	Number
C	Carbon	−3	2
H	Hydrogen	+1	6

Ratio of atoms

Atom	Atomic weight	Number	Atomic ratio	Weight ratio
C	12.011	2	25.00%	79.89%
H	1.008	6	75.00%	20.11%

Thermodynamic properties

Phase transition properties

Item

Value

Enthalpy of fusion: 2.86 kJ · mol⁻¹^[1]
at −182.8°C; 2.72 kJ · mol⁻¹^[2]
at -182.77°C

Enthalpy of vaporization: 14.7 kJ · mol⁻¹^[1]
at −88°C; 14.69 kJ · mol⁻¹^[2]
at -88.6°C

Enthalpy of vaporization at 25°C: 5.2 kJ · mol⁻¹^[1]; 5.16 kJ · mol⁻¹^[2]

Enthalpy of other transition: –

Standard thermodynamic properties

State	Standard enthalpy of formation Δ_fH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of formation Δ_fG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar entropy S° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar heat capacity at constant pressure C_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
Gas	−84.68^[3]	−32.82^[3]	229.60^[3]	52.63^[3]
Un−ionized aqueous solution	−102.09^[3]	−17.01^[3]	118.4^[3]	–

Solubility

Qualitative solubility

Reactive

Miscible

Very soluble

Soluble

Slightly soluble: C₆H₆Benzene
C₆H₅CH₃Toluene
CH₃CHOHCH₃2-Propanol
C₂H₅OHEthanol
C₅H₁₁OH1-Pentanol
CH₃OHMethanol

Very slightly soluble

Insoluble: H₂OWater

Solubility in water (g/100 g)^[1]

0°C	10°C	20°C	25°C	30°C	40°C	50°C	60°C	70°C	80°C	90°C	100°C
0.01317	0.0087	0.0062	0.00535	0.00468	0.00366	0.00294	0.00239	0.00185	0.00134	0.0008	0

Solubility in water (g/100 g)^[4]

0°C	5°C	10°C	15°C	20°C	25°C	30°C	40°C	50°C	60°C	70°C	80°C	90°C	100°C
0.0132	0.0107	0.0087	0.0073	0.0062	0.0054	0.0049	0.0037	0.0029	0.0024	0.0018	0.0013	0.0007	0

Solubility in benzene (mL/100 mL)^[4]

22.1°C	35°C	40.1°C	49.9°C
49.54	44.84	41.98	36.45

Solubility in toluene (mL/100 mL)^[4]

25°C	30°C	40.1°C	50.2°C	60°C
48.52	47.78	46.75	45.45	45.02

Solubility in 2-propanol (mL/100 mL)^[4]

21.5°C	29.9°C	40°C	60.3°C
46.2	45.32	44	42.44

Solubility in ethanol (mL/100 mL)^[1]

4°C
46

Solubility in ethanol (mL/100 mL, 99.8%)^[4]

22.2°C	30.2°C	40°C
46.28	45.03	43.23

Solubility in 1-pentanol (mL/100 mL)^[4]

22°C	30.1°C
45.32	44.44

Solubility in methanol (mL/100 mL, 99%)^[4]

22.1°C	30.2°C	40°C	49.8°C
44.36	42.78	39.38	26.95

Solubility curve (g/100 g)

Solubility curve (mL/100 mL)

Hazards

GHS label^[5]

Item

Value

Hazard pictograms: GHS02: Flame; GHS04: Gas cylinder; GHS07: Exclamation mark

Signal word: Danger

Hazard statements: H220: Extremely flammable gas; H280: Contains gas under pressure may explode if heated; H281: Contains refrigerated gas may cause cryogenic burns or injury; H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness

Physical hazards^[5]

Classification	Category	Label	Hazard statement
Explosives	Not applicable
Flammable gases	Category 1A flammable gas	Danger	H220: Extremely flammable gas
Aerosols	Not applicable
Oxidizing gases	Not classified
Gases under pressure	Compressed gas	Warning	H280: Contains gas under pressure may explode if heated
Gases under pressure	Refrigerated liquefied gas	Warning	H281: Contains refrigerated gas may cause cryogenic burns or injury
Flammable liquids	Not applicable
Flammable solids	Not applicable
Self reactive substances and mixtures	Not applicable
Pyrophoric liquids	Not applicable
Pyrophoric solids	Not applicable
Self heating substances and mixtures	Not applicable
Substances and mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases	Not applicable
Oxidizing liquids	Not applicable
Oxidizing solids	Not applicable
Organic peroxides	Not applicable
Substances and mixtures corrosive to metals	Not classified
Desensitized explosives	No data

Health hazards^[5]

Classification	Category	Label	Hazard statement
Acute oral toxicity	Not applicable
Acute dermal toxicity	Not applicable
Acute inhalation toxicity by gas	Classification not possible
Acute inhalation toxicity by vapor	Not applicable
Acute inhalation toxicity by dust or mist	Not applicable
Skin corrosion irritation	Classification not possible
Serious eye damage eye irritation	Classification not possible
Respiratory sensitization	Classification not possible
Skin sensitization	Classification not possible
Germ cell mutagenicity	Classification not possible
Carcinogenicity	Classification not possible
Reproductive toxicity	Classification not possible
Specific target organ toxicity single exposure	Category 3 (Narcotic effects)	Warning	H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness
Specific target organ toxicity repeated exposure	Classification not possible
Aspiration hazard	Not applicable

Environmental hazards^[5]

Classification	Category	Label	Hazard statement
Hazardous to the aquatic environment short term	Classification not possible
Hazardous to the aquatic environment long term	Classification not possible
Hazardous to the ozone layer	No data

Preparations

Reaction of alkene and hydrogen

The reaction of ethylene and hydrogen yields ethane.

Reaction of ethylene and hydrogen ◆ Δ_rG −100.97 kJ/mol K 4.89 × 10¹⁷ pK −17.69: C₂H₄Ethylene + H₂Hydrogen
Ni|Pd|Pt
⟶

C₂H₆Ethane

Reaction of ketone/aldehyde and hydrazine

The reaction of acetaldehyde and hydrazine yields ethane, nitrogen, and water.

Reaction of acetaldehyde and hydrazine ◆ Δ_rG −291.17 kJ/mol K 1.03 × 10⁵¹ pK −51.01: CH₃CHOAcetaldehyde + N₂H₄Hydrazine
NaOH|KOH
⟶
🔥
C₂H₆↑Ethane + N₂↑Nitrogen + H₂OWater

Reaction of ketone/aldehyde, zinc, and hydrogen ion

The reaction of acetaldehyde, zinc, and hydrogen ion yields ethane, zinc ion, and water.

Reaction of acetaldehyde, zinc, and hydrogen ion ◆ Δ_rG −435.95 kJ/mol K 2.37 × 10⁷⁶ pK −76.38: CH₃CHOAcetaldehyde + 2ZnZinc + 4H⁺Hydrogen ion
Zn(Hg)
⟶

C₂H₆↑Ethane + 2Zn²⁺Zinc ion + H₂OWater

Chemical reactions

Complete combustion of ethane

Complete combustion of ethane yields carbon dioxide and water.

Complete combustion of ethane ◆ Δ_rG −2934.57 kJ/mol K 1.30 × 10⁵¹⁴ pK −514.11: 2C₂H₆Ethane + 7O₂Oxygen
⟶
4CO₂Carbon dioxide + 6H₂OWater

Incomplete combustion of ethane

Incomplete combustion of ethane yields carbon monoxide and water.

Incomplete combustion of ethane ◆ Δ_rG −1905.81 kJ/mol K 7.65 × 10³³³ pK −333.88: 2C₂H₆Ethane + 5O₂Oxygen
⟶
4COCarbon monoxide + 6H₂OWater

Incomplete combustion of ethane ◆ Δ_rG −1357.13 kJ/mol K 5.74 × 10²³⁷ pK −237.76: 2C₂H₆Ethane + 3O₂Oxygen
⟶
4CCarbon + 6H₂OWater

Reaction with halogen

The reaction of ethane and chlorine yields chloroethane and hydrogen chloride.

Reaction of ethane and chlorine ◆ Δ_rG −121.79 kJ/mol K 2.17 × 10²¹ pK −21.34: C₂H₆Ethane + Cl₂Chlorine
⟶
C₂H₅ClChloroethane + HClHydrogen chloride

References

List of references

1
James G. Speight (2017)
Lange's Handbook of Chemistry, 17th edition
https://www.accessengineeringlibrary.com/content/book/9781259586095
McGraw Hill Education
- Amazon
Citation list
- ^ Density, 1.356 g/L - p.595
- ^ Melting point, −182.8 °C - p.595
- ^ Boiling point, −88 °C - p.595
- ^ Flash point, −135°C - p.595
- ^ Enthalpy of fusion, 2.86 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.1003
- ^ Enthalpy of vaporization, 14.7 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.1003
- ^ Enthalpy of vaporization at 25°C, 5.2 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.1003
- ^ Solubility in Water (g/100 g), See the table - p.328–329
- ^ Solubility in Ethanol (mL/100 mL), See the table - p.595
2
John R. Rumble Jr, David R. Lide, Thomas J. Bruno (2019)
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics 100th Edition
https://www.routledge.com/CRC-Handbook-of-Chemistry-and-Physics/book-series/CRCHANCHEPHY
CRC Press
- Amazon
Citation list
- ^ Density, 0.5466 g/cm³ - p.3-26
- ^ Melting point, −182.77 °C - p.3-26
- ^ Boiling point, −88.6 °C - p.3-26
- ^ Enthalpy of fusion, 2.72 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.6-156
- ^ Enthalpy of vaporization, 14.69 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.6-143
- ^ Enthalpy of vaporization at 25°C, 5.16 kJ · mol⁻¹ - p.6-143
3
Janiel J. Reed (1989)
The NBS Tables of Chemical Thermodynamic Properties: Selected Values for Inorganic and C1 and C2 Organic Substances in SI Units
https://doi.org/10.18434/M32124
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Citation list
4
Atherton Seidell (1919)
Solubilities of Inorganic and Organic Compounds: A Compilation of Quantitative Solubility Data From the Periodical Literature
D. Van Nostrand Company
- Amazon
Citation list
5
Chemical Management Center
GHS Classification Results
https://www.nite.go.jp/chem/english/ghs/all_fy_e.html
National Institute of Technology and Evaluation
Citation list

Δ_rG	−100.97 kJ/mol
K	4.89 × 10¹⁷
pK	−17.69

Δ_rG	−291.17 kJ/mol
K	1.03 × 10⁵¹
pK	−51.01

Δ_rG	−435.95 kJ/mol
K	2.37 × 10⁷⁶
pK	−76.38

Δ_rG	−2934.57 kJ/mol
K	1.30 × 10⁵¹⁴
pK	−514.11

Ethane

Names

List of substance names

Formulae and structures

List of formulae

Properties

List of substance properties

Constituents

Constituent atoms

Ratio of atoms

Thermodynamic properties

Phase transition properties

Standard thermodynamic properties

Solubility

Qualitative solubility

Solubility in water (g/100 g)[1]

Solubility in water (g/100 g)[4]

Solubility in benzene (mL/100 mL)[4]

Solubility in toluene (mL/100 mL)[4]

Solubility in 2-propanol (mL/100 mL)[4]

Solubility in ethanol (mL/100 mL)[1]

Solubility in ethanol (mL/100 mL, 99.8%)[4]

Solubility in 1-pentanol (mL/100 mL)[4]

Solubility in methanol (mL/100 mL, 99%)[4]

Solubility curve (g/100 g)

Solubility curve (mL/100 mL)

Hazards

GHS label[5]

Physical hazards[5]

Health hazards[5]

Environmental hazards[5]

Preparations

Reaction of alkene and hydrogen

Reaction of ketone/aldehyde and hydrazine

Reaction of ketone/aldehyde, zinc, and hydrogen ion

Chemical reactions

Complete combustion of ethane

Incomplete combustion of ethane

Reaction with halogen

References

List of references

Related substances

Alkane

Related categories

Solubility in water (g/100 g)^[1]

Solubility in water (g/100 g)^[4]

Solubility in benzene (mL/100 mL)^[4]

Solubility in toluene (mL/100 mL)^[4]

Solubility in 2-propanol (mL/100 mL)^[4]

Solubility in ethanol (mL/100 mL)^[1]

Solubility in ethanol (mL/100 mL, 99.8%)^[4]

Solubility in 1-pentanol (mL/100 mL)^[4]

Solubility in methanol (mL/100 mL, 99%)^[4]

GHS label^[5]

Physical hazards^[5]

Health hazards^[5]

Environmental hazards^[5]