Comparison of the Chemical Properties of Ethane and Ethene

CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES

Ethane Ethene

Undergoes undergoes
under
(A) Complete combustion
(A) Complete combustion
-burn in excess oxygen with a non- luminous
-burn in excess oxygen to produce CO2, water
flame and produce CO2, water and heat energy
and heat energy
2C2H6 + 7O2 4CO2 + 6H2O
2C2H4 + 3O2 2CO2 + 2H2O
(B) Incomplete combustion
(B) Incomplete combustion
-burn with luminous flame to produce CO, water
-burn with limited oxygen with a smoky and
and heat energy
luminous flame to produce C, water and heat
2C2H6 + 5O2 4CO2 + 6H2O energy

(C) Free radical halogenations (Chlorination) C2H4 + O2 2C+ 2H2O