Ethyne

Definition

Ethyne, also known as acetylene, is a simple hydrocarbon compound with the chemical formula C₂H₂. It is a linear, unsaturated molecule with a triple bond between the two carbon atoms, making it the simplest alkyne. Ethyne is an important industrial chemical and has a wide range of applications, including in the context of sp hybrid orbitals, the structure of acetylene, naming alkynes, and the reduction of alkynes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ethyne molecules have a linear structure due to the sp hybridization of the carbon atoms, with the two hydrogen atoms attached at a 180-degree angle.
2. The triple bond in ethyne is composed of two σ bonds and one π bond, making it a highly reactive and unstable molecule.
3. Ethyne is named using the IUPAC naming system for alkynes, where the suffix '-yne' is used to indicate the presence of a triple bond.
4. The reduction of ethyne can be achieved through catalytic hydrogenation, where the triple bond is converted to a single bond, forming ethane.
5. Ethyne is an important industrial gas used in welding and cutting applications, as well as in the production of various organic compounds.

Review Questions

• Explain the sp hybridization of the carbon atoms in ethyne and how it relates to the molecule's linear structure.
  • The carbon atoms in ethyne undergo sp hybridization, where one s orbital and one p orbital combine to form two sp hybrid orbitals. These sp hybrid orbitals are arranged in a linear fashion, with a 180-degree angle between them. This linear arrangement of the sp hybrid orbitals dictates the overall linear structure of the ethyne molecule, with the two hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon atoms at a 180-degree angle.
• Describe the IUPAC naming system for alkynes and how it is applied to ethyne.
  • The IUPAC naming system for alkynes involves using the suffix '-yne' to indicate the presence of a carbon-carbon triple bond. In the case of ethyne, the name is derived from the parent alkane, ethane, with the '-yne' suffix added to denote the triple bond. This results in the name 'ethyne,' which is the systematic IUPAC name for the simplest alkyne compound.
• Analyze the process of reducing ethyne and explain the significance of this reaction in organic chemistry.
  • The reduction of ethyne, also known as acetylene, is an important reaction in organic chemistry. This reaction involves the catalytic hydrogenation of the triple bond, where hydrogen molecules are added to the carbon-carbon triple bond, converting it into a single carbon-carbon bond. The resulting product is ethane, a saturated alkane. This reduction reaction is significant because it demonstrates the ability to manipulate the degree of unsaturation in organic compounds, which is a fundamental concept in understanding the reactivity and properties of various classes of hydrocarbons.

Related terms

Alkyne: A hydrocarbon compound containing a carbon-carbon triple bond, with the general formula CnH2n-2.

sp Hybridization: A type of hybridization in which one s orbital and one or more p orbitals combine to form new hybrid orbitals, used to describe the bonding in certain molecules.

Reduction: A chemical reaction in which the oxidation state of a substance is decreased, typically by the addition of hydrogen or the removal of oxygen.