Chemical properties of ethane.

Let’s consider the chemical properties of ethane. Ethane refers to saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes), in which carbon atoms are linked by single bonds, which determine their relative chemical inertness.

The most common reaction is ethane halogenation.

CH3-CH3 + CI2 = CH3-CH2CI + HCI (goes under intense light illumination and goes through a chain mechanism with the formation of radicals).

Dehydrogenation (depending on the conditions) leads to the formation of ethene, acetylene.

CH3-CH3 = CH2 = CH2 + H2 (ethene).

CH3-CH3 = C2H2 + 2H2 (acentilene).

The reactions of nitration and sulfonation are also characteristic:

CH3-CH3 + HNO3 = CH3-CH2NO2 + H20;

CH3-CH3 + H2SO4 = CH3-CH2SO3 + H2O.