ethane

American  

[eth-eyn] / ˈɛθ eɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, odorless, flammable gas, C 2 H 6 , of the methane series, present in natural gas, illuminating gas, and crude petroleum: used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a fuel gas.

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ethane British  

/ ˈɛθ-, ˈiːθeɪn /

noun

1. a colourless odourless flammable gaseous alkane obtained from natural gas and petroleum: used as a fuel and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Formula: C 2 H 6

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ethane Scientific  

/ ĕth′ān′ /

1. A colorless, odorless, flammable gas occurring in natural gas. It is used as a fuel and in refrigeration. Ethane is the second member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C ₂ H ₆ .

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Etymology

Origin of ethane

First recorded in 1870–75; eth(yl) + -ane

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ethane

For North American producers like Dow and LyondellBasell who use ethane from cheap natural gas to create polyethylene, that dynamic has been a “tremendous benefit,” Morales said.

From Barron's ● May 12, 2026

For North American producers like Dow and LyondellBasell, which use ethane from cheap natural gas to create polyethylene, that dynamic has been a “tremendous benefit,” Morales said.

From Barron's ● May 12, 2026

Over time, he said, more U.S.-produced ethane likely will be exported, eroding the advantage now enjoyed by American plastic makers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026

The conflict is also severely disrupting global product markets, with jet fuel, LPG and ethane among the most immediately affected products.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

This compound may be considered as derived from methane, CH4, by replacing a hydrogen atom by the monovalent group CH3, known as methyl; hence ethane may be named “methylmethane.”

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various