|
Unlimited Tutoring & Homework Help
|
Ethyne
Ethyne is an unsaturated hydrocarbon with a triple bond.
Preparation of ethyne in the laboratory
Ethyne is prepared by the action of water on calcium carbide.Physical properties
It is a colourless gas with garlic-like odour when pure. It is soluble in organic solvents. It is poisonous and highly explosive.
Chemical properties
Combustion
It burns in air with a sooty flame to produce carbon dioxide and water vapour. The flame is white, sooty and produces an extremely high temperature of 40000C.

Addition reactions
Ethyne undergoes addition reactions to give saturated compounds.
a. Chlorination

b. Bromination

Uses
- Illuminant in acetylene lamps.
- Oxy-acetylene torches for welding metals.
- Starting material for the synthesis of organic compounds like acetaldehyde, acetic acid, ethyl alcohol and tetrachloroethane. Tetrachloroethane is a solvent and is also called Westron.


