Substance profile
Ethylene
Ethylene is a colorless gas with a sweet odor.
01 · Identification
What Ethylene is
Ethylene is a colorless gas with a sweet odor. Its molecular formula is C2H4 and its molecular weight is 28.05 g/mol. It boils at -104 °C, melts at -169 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethylene properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -103.8 °C (-154.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -102.4 °C (-152.3 °F) | at 700 mmHg | HSDB | |
| -103.72 °C (-154.7 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -169.18 °C (-272.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| -169.11 °C (-272.4 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -169.2 °C (-272.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 0.569 g/cm³ | at -103.8 °C | CAMEO |
| 0.568 g/cm³ | at -104 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in ethanol, ether; soluble in acetone acid, benzene | HSDB | ||
| In water, 131 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 52100 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 51200 mmHg | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| 60760 mmHg | at 15 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | -100 °C (-148 °F) | HSDB | |
| -136.11 °C (-213 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 450 °C (842 °F) | HSDB | |
| 440 °C (824 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.7 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2.75 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 36 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 28.6 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Vapor density | 0.98 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | Detection in air by odor (purity not specified) 2.60x10+2 ppm. | HSDB | |
| Odor Index at 20 °C = 57,100 | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 17.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Ethylene is a noncorrosive gas. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethylene
Storage conditions
Store in cool dry, well-ventilated location. Protect against static electricity and lightning. Isolate from oxidizing materials, halogens, and other combustibles.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents, carbon tetrachloride, chlorine, copper, vinyl compounds.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Peroxidizable monomer may initiate exothermic polymerization of the bulk material [Bretherick 1979. p. 160]. Ethylene in the presence of aluminum chloride may undergo a violent reaction [J. Inst. Pet. 33:254. 1947]. Ozone and ethylene react explosively [Berichte 38:3837]. Ethylene can polymerize at low pressure if catalyzed by titanium halides. (Sundaram, K. M, M. M. Shreehan, E. F. Olszewski. "Ethylene." Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethylene in the storage compatibility matrix →