ORGANIC CHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site ethane (C2H6) The second member of the alkane series of hydrocarbons; it occurs in natural gas and is formed in petroleum cracking. Ethane is a colorless, odorless, flammable gas, which occurs in natural gas and forms an explosive mixture with air. Ethane may be prepared by reduction of ethene or ethyne by hydrogen under pressure in the presence of a nickel catalyst, or by the electrolysis of a solution of potassium ethanoate. Ethane is used in low-temperature refrigeration plant. It has been detected as a trace component in the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and in the atmosphere of Saturn's largest moon Titan. molecular weight 30.1 melting point -182.7 °C (90.3 K) boiling point -88.6 °C (184.5 K) Related category    • ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP