Last modified on May 26, 2017, at 07:01

Ethylene

Ethylene (or Ethene) is a two-carbon alkene. Its chemical formula is CH2CH2 (or C2H4), and its structure is as shown here:

Double bond.jpg

In a three-dimensional model, this same ethylene molecule might look like this:

Ethylene model.jpg

Ethylene is involved with the process of fruit ripening. This is why apples (which produce large amounts of ethylene during ripening) will speed the ripening process of any other fruit they are near.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene is a widely used plastic material. It is a polymer of ethylene.