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

The South Korean shipbuilder could benefit from restarting a suspended domestic dock to build more higher-end vessels, such as very large ethane carriers or shuttle tankers, the analyst writes in a research note.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

Foreign plastic makers are increasingly converting their plants to use ethane rather than crude oil derivatives, he said, thanks to the lower price and greater availability of natural gas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026

Sir Edward Frankland showed how it could be derived from, and converted into, ethane; and thus determined it to be ethane in which one hydrogen atom was repiaced by a hydroxyl group.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg