ethanol vs ethene

by georgia jarmolkiewicz

ethanol

ethene

• colourless gas at room temperature and pressure
• Melting point -169oC
• Boiling point -104oC
• slightly sweet smell
• flammable
• non-polar molecule
• soluble in non-polar solvents & insoluble in polar solvents like water
• reactive: the active site is the double bond 

Used in:

Socially

surfactants and detergents

Economically

• polythene production 
• polystyrene
• making ethanol
• glass welding

Environmentally

• hastening fruit ripening

• colourless gas at room temperature and pressure
• Melting point -169oC
• Boiling point -104oC
• slightly sweet smell
• flammable
• non-polar molecule
• soluble in non-polar solvents & insoluble in polar solvents like water
• reactive: the active site is the double bond 

Used in:

Socially

• drinking alcohol (vodka/rum)
•  antitussive agent (pill form)
• dissolving many water-insoluble medications
• cough syrup
• central nervous system depressant, used as a psychoactive drug
• used recreationally for this purpose
• used in glues and paints

Economically

• engine fuel and fuel additive
• rocket fuel
• household heating
• used in glues and paints

Environmentally

• hand wipes and sanitizers
• often abused in its couch syrup, paint, alcohol, or pure drug form for recreation purposes

C2H6O (alkane)

C2H4 (alkene)

ETHENE

some of Ethene's uses: detergents, polystyrene, ethanol, glass welding