What is ethane?

 

Ethane is an organic compound with molecular formula C2H6. It is a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon. Ethane is colorless, odorless gas at standard pressure and temperature.

 

Ethane is mixed with methane in natural gas. Again, a little ethane is also available from coal gas. The melting point of ethane is 101K and the boiling point is 184K.

 

Ethane is non polar saturated hydrocarbon. Consequently, it is insoluble or sparingly soluble in water but readily soluble in organic solvents like benzene, ethanol etc.

 

It burns in air oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water. Ethane is a saturated hydrocarbon and hence it is inert in nature. That is, it does not take part in a chemical reaction normally.