Ethane [Chemical formula, Physical, Chemical Properties and Reactions]

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 3, 2024

The chemical formula for ethane is C2H6.

Physical Properties of Ethane:

Properties Details
Boiling Point-88.6 °C (-127.5 °F)
ColorColorless
Density0.00125 g/cm³ (gas at 0 °C and 1 atm)
FlammabilityHighly flammable
Melting Point-182.8 °C (-297.0 °F)
Molecular FormulaC2H6
Molecular Weight30.07 g/mol
OdorOdorless
Physical StateGas
Refractive Index1.00055
SolubilityInsoluble in water
Vapor Pressure49.7 atm at 20 °C

Chemical Properties of Ethane:

Properties Details
CombustibilityBurns readily in the presence of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water
HalogenationReacts with halogens in the presence of light to form alkyl halides
HydrogenationCan be hydrogenated to form ethane
OxidationUndergoes oxidation reactions to produce carbon dioxide and water
PolymerizationCan undergo polymerization reactions to form polyethylene
Reaction with OxygenCombines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water
Reaction with SulfurReacts with sulfur to form ethyl sulfide
Reactivity with HalogensReacts with halogens (e.g., chlorine, bromine) to form alkyl halides

Reaction of ethane with Alkali Metal

Alkali MetalReaction with Ethane
Lithium (Li)2 Li + C2H6    react and convert into  2 LiC2H6
Sodium (Na)2 Na + C2H6   react and convert into  2 NaC2H6
Potassium (K)2 K + C2H6   react and convert into  2 KC2H6
Rubidium (Rb)2 Rb + C2H6   react and convert into  2 RbC2H6
Cesium (Cs)2 Cs + C2H6   react and convert into  2 CsC2H6
Francium (Fr)2 Fr + C2H6   react and convert into  2 FrC2H6

Reaction of ethane with Alkaline Earth Metal

Alkaline Earth MetalReaction with Ethane
Beryllium (Be)2 Be + C2H6   react and convert into  2 BeC2H6
Magnesium (Mg)Mg + C2H6   react and convert into  MgC2H6
Calcium (Ca)Ca + C2H6   react and convert into  CaC2H6
Strontium (Sr)Sr + C2H6    react and convert into  SrC2H6
Barium (Ba)Ba + C2H6   react and convert into  BaC2H6
Radium (Ra)Ra + C2H6   react and convert into  RaC2H6

Reaction of ethane with Transition Metal

Transition MetalReaction with Ethane
Iron (Fe)Fe + C2H6   react and convert into  Fe(C2H6)2
Nickel (Ni)Ni + C2H6   react and convert into  Ni(C2H6)2
Palladium (Pd)Pd + C2H6   react and convert into  Pd(C2H6)2
Copper (Cu)Cu + C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Silver (Ag)Ag + C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Platinum (Pt)Pt + C2H6   react and convert into  Pt(C2H6)2
Gold (Au)Au + C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd

Reaction of ethane with Non-Transition Metal

Non-Transition MetalReaction with Ethane
Aluminum (Al)2 Al + 3 C2H6   react and convert into  Al2(C2H6)3
Zinc (Zn)Zn + C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Tin (Sn)Sn + 2 C2H6   react and convert into  Sn(C2H6)2
Lead (Pb)Pb + 2 C2H6   react and convert into  Pb(C2H6)2
Bismuth (Bi)Bi + 3 C2H6   react and convert into  Bi(C2H6)3
Antimony (Sb)Sb + 3 C2H6   react and convert into  Sb(C2H6)3
Arsenic (As)As + 3 C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Selenium (Se)Se + 3 C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd

Reaction of ethane with Metalloid

MetalloidReaction with Ethane
Boron (B)B + 3 C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Silicon (Si)Si + 4 C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Germanium (Ge)Ge + 4 C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Arsenic (As)As + 3 C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Antimony (Sb)Sb + 3 C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Tellurium (Te)Te + 4 C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd
Polonium (Po)Po + 4 C2H6   react and convert into  No product formd

Reaction of ethane with Lanthanide

LanthanideReaction with Ethane
Cerium (Ce)Ce + 2 C2H6   react and convert into  Ce(C2H6)2
Europium (Eu)Eu + 2 C2H6   react and convert into  Eu(C2H6)2
Gadolinium (Gd)Gd + 2 C2H6   react and convert into  Gd(C2H6)2
Lutetium (Lu)Lu + 2 C2H6   react and convert into  Lu(C2H6)2
Samarium (Sm)Sm + 2 C2H6   react and convert into  Sm(C2H6)2
Terbium (Tb)Tb + 2 C2H6   react and convert into  Tb(C2H6)2
Ytterbium (Yb)Yb + 2 C2H6   react and convert into  Yb(C2H6)2