Ethylene(Ethene)
The world's highest-volume petrochemical. A colourless, flammable gas forming the backbone of polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, styrene, and the entire PVC chain.
Molecular Structure
What is Ethylene?
Ethylene (IUPAC: ethene) is the simplest alkene — two sp²-hybridised carbon atoms joined by a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C), with two hydrogen atoms on each carbon. The molecule is planar with bond angles of approximately 120°, a C=C bond length of 1.34 Å, and a molecular weight of 28.05 g/mol.
At ambient conditions ethylene is a colourless, flammable gas with a faint sweet odour. It liquefies at −103.7 °C and is commercially stored and transported under pressure or at cryogenic temperatures. The C=C double bond is the site of essentially all its industrial chemistry — from addition polymerisation to produce polyethylene, to epoxidation to give ethylene oxide, to Wacker oxidation to give acetaldehyde.
Global ethylene production exceeds 200 million tonnes per annum, making it the highest-volume organic chemical manufactured worldwide. No single molecule is more central to the modern polymer and chemical industry.
Chelora sources polymer-grade (≥99.9%) and chemical-grade (≥99.5%) ethylene from verified, asset-backed suppliers with full documentation, origin certification, and logistics support for Indian and international buyers.
Quick Reference
Key Physical & Chemical Properties
Structure & Bonding
Ethylene's industrial chemistry is defined by its C=C double bond — the site of polymerisation, oxidation, and most other reactions that convert it into downstream derivatives.
Lewis structure — planar sp² hybridisation
Structural Identity
- IUPAC NameEthene
- Molecular FormulaC₂H₄
- Molecular Weight28.05 g/mol
- Hybridisationsp² (both C)
- Bond type (C–C)1 σ + 1 π (double)
- C=C bond length1.34 Å
- H–C–H bond angle117.4°
- GeometryPlanar, D₂h symmetry
- CAS Number74-85-1
- InChI KeyVGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Product Specifications
Chelora supplies ethylene in two principal commercial grades. Custom specifications are available on request for specific downstream process requirements.
| Parameter | Polymer Grade (PG) / Chemical Grade (CG) |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | Ethylene (Ethene) |
| CAS Number | 74-85-1 |
| Molecular formula | C₂H₄ |
| Molecular weight | 28.05 g/mol |
| Purity (PG) | ≥ 99.9 mol% |
| Purity (CG) | ≥ 99.5 mol% |
| Methane + Ethane (max, PG) | ≤ 500 ppm vol |
| Acetylene (max, PG) | ≤ 5 ppm vol |
| CO + CO₂ (max, PG) | ≤ 5 ppm vol |
| Moisture (max) | ≤ 10 ppm wt |
| Oxygen (max) | ≤ 5 ppm vol |
| Physical state (ambient) | Colourless gas |
| Boiling point | −103.7 °C at 1 atm |
| Melting point | −169.2 °C |
| Critical temperature | 9.2 °C |
| Critical pressure | 50.4 bar |
| Vapour density | 0.978 (air = 1) |
| Supply form | Compressed gas cylinder / pressurised liquid / cryogenic |
| UN Number | UN 1962 (gas) / UN 1038 (refrigerated liquid) |
| IMO / IMDG Class | Class 2.1 (Flammable Gas) |
Downstream Applications & Derivatives
Ethylene is the base olefin that feeds the broadest range of derivative chains in all of petrochemicals — from packaging films to antifreeze to engineering polymers.
Polyethylene (PE)
The single largest use. Ethylene is polymerised under Ziegler–Natta or metallocene catalysis to give HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE — used in films, packaging, pipes, blow-moulded containers, and wire insulation.
Ethylene Oxide & Glycols
Catalytic vapour-phase oxidation of ethylene over silver catalyst gives ethylene oxide (EO), which is hydrated to monoethylene glycol (MEG), a key feedstock for PET polyester and antifreeze.
Styrene & Polystyrene
Alkylation of benzene with ethylene gives ethylbenzene, which is dehydrogenated to styrene monomer. Styrene feeds polystyrene, ABS, SBR rubber, and expandable polystyrene (EPS) foam.
Vinyl Chloride & PVC
Ethylene is chlorinated or oxychlorinated to give ethylene dichloride (EDC), which is cracked to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) — the feedstock for the world's third-largest polymer, PVC.
Ethanol & Acetaldehyde
Catalytic hydration of ethylene produces ethanol (bio-route alternative). Wacker oxidation gives acetaldehyde, the precursor to acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM).
Alpha-Olefins & Specialties
Oligomerisation of ethylene gives linear alpha-olefins (LAOs: 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene) used as PE comonomers and in lubricants, detergent alcohols, and PAOX applications.
Why source ethylene through Chelora Petrochem?
Verified Origin
Every consignment carries full origin certification and asset-backed supply chain documentation — no grey-market or unverified intermediary supply.
Dual Grade Supply
Polymer grade (≥99.9%) and chemical grade (≥99.5%) available. Custom impurity specifications can be accommodated for specialist processes.
Complete Documentation
CoA, SDS, UN transport docs, REACH compliance, and any destination-market certificates supplied with every shipment.
Logistics Management
Experienced in pressurised and cryogenic ethylene logistics — vessel, rail, and cylinder — with a network suited to Indian and international delivery.
Storage & Handling Guidelines
Ethylene is a flammable, compressed gas requiring stringent engineering controls and operating discipline. The following is a summary; always refer to the full SDS before handling.
- Store cylinders or vessels in a well-ventilated, dedicated gas storage area away from ignition sources, heat, and sunlight.
- All electrical equipment in storage and handling areas must be rated ATEX/IECEx for Zone 1 or Zone 2 as appropriate.
- Ensure full bonding and earthing of all transfer equipment before and during any liquid or gas transfer operation.
- Never store ethylene in the same area as strong oxidisers, halogens, or materials that can generate static.
- Install continuous gas detection with audible and visual alarms set below the lower explosive limit (LEL).
- Use only approved pressure-rated piping, valves, and fittings — never substitute with incompatible materials.
- Keep cylinders secured upright using chains or brackets; protect valve caps when not in service.
- Conduct pre-use and post-use leak checks using suitable gas detection equipment.
Hazard Summary
Classification: Flammable Gas Category 1 (GHS02); Simple Asphyxiant. UN 1962 (gas), UN 1038 (refrigerated liquid).
Flammability: Flammable limits 2.7–36% v/v in air. Ethylene can ignite at concentrations well below odour threshold; never rely on smell to detect leaks.
Asphyxiation: Ethylene is not acutely toxic but displaces oxygen in confined spaces. Oxygen monitoring is mandatory before entry into any enclosed area where ethylene may accumulate.
PPE minimum: Chemical-splash goggles, insulated cryogenic gloves for liquid handling, flame-retardant clothing, and an appropriate supplied-air respirator where oxygen deficiency is possible.
Consult the full Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for exposure limits, emergency response, spill containment, and disposal procedures before any use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical and commercial questions about ethylene sourcing and specifications, answered by the Chelora team.
What is ethylene used for in the petrochemical industry?
Ethylene is the world's highest-volume petrochemical. It is the principal feedstock for polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE), ethylene oxide (EO), ethylene glycol (MEG/DEG), styrene, ethanol, vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and acetaldehyde. Roughly half of all ethylene produced globally goes to polyethylene manufacture, with the remainder split across these derivative chains.
What is the difference between polymer grade and chemical grade ethylene?
Polymer grade ethylene (≥99.9% purity) meets the stringent impurity specifications required for Ziegler–Natta and metallocene polymerisation catalysts — where even ppm-level acetylene or CO can irreversibly poison the catalyst bed. Chemical grade (≥99.5%) is used for EO/EG manufacture, styrene production, and other synthesis routes where catalyst sensitivity is lower. Chelora can supply both grades to specification with a certificate of analysis per batch.
How is ethylene produced commercially?
The dominant commercial route is steam cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks — naphtha, ethane, LPG, or gas oil — at temperatures of 750–875 °C followed by quench, compression, and fractionation. Naphtha cracking is the predominant route in Europe and Asia; ethane cracking is the primary route in North America and the Middle East where associated gas is abundant. Emerging routes include bio-ethanol dehydration and catalytic dehydrogenation, though steam cracking still accounts for over 95% of global supply.
Is ethylene flammable, and what special handling is required?
Yes — ethylene is a highly flammable gas with a wide flammability range of 2.7–36% v/v in air and an auto-ignition temperature of 490 °C. It must be stored and handled in pressurised vessels or cryogenic conditions with full ATEX/IECEx electrical area classification, continuous gas detection below the LEL, bonding and earthing of all transfer equipment, and strict no-ignition-source protocols. Oxygen monitoring is required wherever accumulation in confined spaces is possible.
In what physical form and packaging is ethylene supplied?
Ethylene is a gas at ambient conditions (boiling point −103.7 °C) and is commercially traded as compressed gas in cylinders or tube trailers, as pressurised liquid in dedicated rail tank wagons, via dedicated ethylene pipeline (in regions with pipeline infrastructure), or as cryogenic liquid in insulated ISO tanks or storage bullets. Chelora arranges supply in the form and logistics mode that matches the buyer's receiving infrastructure and annual volume.
What are the key ethylene derivatives Chelora also supplies?
Chelora's petrochemical portfolio covers the principal ethylene derivative chain, including ethylene oxide (EO), monoethylene glycol (MEG), diethylene glycol (DEG), styrene monomer, polyethylene (HDPE, LLDPE), and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). Contact our sourcing team to discuss integrated supply across the chain — often with freight and documentation synergies.
What documentation does Chelora provide with each shipment?
Every shipment is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) confirming purity and the full impurity profile against the agreed specification, a Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) to GHS/REACH standards, UN transport documentation appropriate to the mode of transport, and any country-of-origin certificates, import-support letters, or regulatory registration documents required by the destination market.
What is the CAS number and IUPAC name for ethylene?
Ethylene's CAS number is 74-85-1 and its IUPAC name is ethene. The molecular formula is C₂H₄ and the molecular weight is 28.05 g/mol. The molecule consists of two sp²-hybridised carbon atoms joined by a carbon-carbon double bond (one σ bond + one π bond) with two hydrogen atoms on each carbon, giving a planar structure with bond angles of approximately 120°.
Request a quote or specification sheet
Talk to Chelora's sourcing team about ethylene grade, volume, logistics, documentation, and lead times. We respond within one business day.
