113 Ethane Ethylene and Acetylene Chemistry LibreTexts
C2H6 is a hydrocarbon molecule with a Lewis consisting of two carbon atoms bonded by a single bond (C-C) and six hydrogen atoms bonded to those carbon atoms. The structural representation of ethane shows that each carbon atom has three valence bonds, with hydrogen atoms filling in the remaining valencies. In terms of its chemical characteristics, ethane is a nonpolar molecule because the electronegativity difference between carbon and hydrogen atoms is relatively small, leading to equal sharing of electrons within the carbon-hydrogen bonds. The Lewis formula of ethane, C2H6, contributes to its chemical properties, such as its comparatively low boiling point and high flammability.