Ethylene

• Formula: C₂H₄
• Molecular weight: 28.0532
• IUPAC Standard InChI: InChI=1S/C2H4/c1-2/h1-2H2 Copy

  
• IUPAC Standard InChIKey: VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copy
• CAS Registry Number: 74-85-1
• Chemical structure:
  This structure is also available as a 2d Mol file or as a computed 3d SD file
  The 3d structure may be viewed using Java or Javascript.
• Isotopologues:
  • (Z)-Ethylene-1,2-d2
• Other names: Ethene; Acetene; Bicarburretted hydrogen; Elayl; Olefiant gas; C2H4; Athylen; Liquid ethyene; UN 1038; UN 1962
• Permanent link for this species. Use this link for bookmarking this species for future reference.
• Information on this page:
  • Phase change data
  • Gas phase ion energetics data
  • Mass spectrum (electron ionization)
  • References
  • Notes
• Other data available:
  • Gas phase thermochemistry data
  • Condensed phase thermochemistry data
  • Reaction thermochemistry data: reactions 1 to 50, reactions 51 to 54
  • Henry's Law data
  • Ion clustering data
  • IR Spectrum
  • UV/Visible spectrum
  • Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels
  • Gas Chromatography
  • Fluid Properties
• Data at other public NIST sites:
  • Microwave spectra (on physics lab web site)
  • Electron-Impact Ionization Cross Sections (on physics web site)
  • Gas Phase Kinetics Database
• Options:
  • Switch to SI units

Data at NIST subscription sites:

• NIST / TRC Web Thermo Tables, "lite" edition (thermophysical and thermochemical data)
• NIST / TRC Web Thermo Tables, professional edition (thermophysical and thermochemical data)

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Phase change data

Go To: Top, Gas phase ion energetics data, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
TRC - Thermodynamics Research Center, NIST Boulder Laboratories, Chris Muzny director
DH - Eugene S. Domalski and Elizabeth D. Hearing
AC - William E. Acree, Jr., James S. Chickos

Enthalpy of vaporization

Entropy of vaporization

Antoine Equation Parameters

log₁₀(P) = A − (B / (T + C))
    P = vapor pressure (atm)
    T = temperature (K)

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Enthalpy of sublimation

Enthalpy of fusion

Entropy of fusion

Gas phase ion energetics data

Go To: Top, Phase change data, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data evaluated as indicated in comments:
HL - Edward P. Hunter and Sharon G. Lias
L - Sharon G. Lias

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
B - John E. Bartmess
LL - Sharon G. Lias and Joel F. Liebman
LBLHLM - Sharon G. Lias, John E. Bartmess, Joel F. Liebman, John L. Holmes, Rhoda D. Levin, and W. Gary Mallard
LLK - Sharon G. Lias, Rhoda D. Levin, and Sherif A. Kafafi
RDSH - Henry M. Rosenstock, Keith Draxl, Bruce W. Steiner, and John T. Herron

View reactions leading to C₂H₄⁺ (ion structure unspecified)

Ionization energy determinations

Appearance energy determinations

De-protonation reactions

C₂H₃^- +  =

By formula: C₂H₃^- + H⁺ = C₂H₄

Mass spectrum (electron ionization)

Go To: Top, Phase change data, Gas phase ion energetics data, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled by: NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center, William E. Wallace, director

Spectrum

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Additional Data

References

Go To: Top, Phase change data, Gas phase ion energetics data, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Streng, 1971
Streng, A.G., Miscibility and Compatibility of Some Liquid and Solidified Gases at Low Temperature, J. Chem. Eng. Data, 1971, 16, 357. [all data]

Kistiakowsky, Romeyn, et al., 1935
Kistiakowsky, G.B.; Romeyn, H.; Ruhoff, J.R.; Smith, H.A.; Vaughan, W.E., Heats of Organic Reactions. I. The Apparatus and the Heat of Hydrogenation of Ethylene, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1935, 57, 65. [all data]

Parks and Huffman, 1931
Parks, G.S.; Huffman, H.M., Some fusion and transition data for hydrocarbons, Ind. Eng. Chem., 1931, 23, 1138-9. [all data]

Jahangiri, Jacobsen, et al., 1986
Jahangiri, M.; Jacobsen, R.T.; Stewart, R.B.; McCarty, R.D., Thermodynamic Properties of Ethylene from the Freezing Line to 450 K at Pressures to 260 MPa, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1986, 15, 593. [all data]

Jahangiri, 1984
Jahangiri, M., A thermodynamic property formulation for ethylene from the freezing line to 450 K at pressures to 260 MPa, Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. Idaho, Moscow, 1984. [all data]

Tsonopoulos and Ambrose, 1996
Tsonopoulos, C.; Ambrose, D., Vapor-Liquid Critical Properties of Elements and Compounds. 6. Unsaturated Aliphatic Hydrocarbons, J. Chem. Eng. Data, 1996, 41, 645-656. [all data]

Douslin and Harrison, 1976
Douslin, D.R.; Harrison, R.H., Pressure, Volume, Temperature Relations of Ethylene, J. Chem. Thermodyn., 1976, 8, 301-330. [all data]

Angus, Armstrong, et al., 1974
Angus, S.; Armstrong, B.; de Reuck, K.M., International Thermodynamic Tables of the Fluid State - 2 Ethylene, Butterworths, London, 1974. [all data]

Hastings, Levelt Sengers, et al., 1980
Hastings, J.R.; Levelt Sengers, J.M.H.; Balfour, F.W., The critical=region equation of state of ethene and the effect of small impurities, J. Chem. Thermodyn., 1980, 12, 1009-45. [all data]

Mathias, Crommelin, et al., 1929
Mathias, E.; Crommelin, C.-A.; Watts, H.G., Actes Veme Congress International Du Froid 2, 66, 1929. [all data]

Egan and Kemp, 1937
Egan, C.J.; Kemp, J.D., Ethylene. The heat capacity from 15°K to the boiling point. The heats of fusion and vaporization. The vapor pressure of the liquid. The entropy from thermal measurements compared with the entropy from spectroscopic data, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1937, 59, 1264-1268. [all data]

Stephenson and Malanowski, 1987
Stephenson, Richard M.; Malanowski, Stanislaw, Handbook of the Thermodynamics of Organic Compounds, 1987, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3173-2 . [all data]

Dykyj, 1970
Dykyj, J., Petrochemica, 1970, 10, 2, 51. [all data]

Michels and Wassenaar, 1950
Michels, A.; Wassenaar, T., The vapour pressure of ethylene, Physica, 1950, 16, 3, 221-224, https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-8914(50)90018-8 . [all data]

Lamb and Roper, 1940
Lamb, Arthur B.; Roper, Edwin E., The Vapor Pressures of Certain Unsaturated Hydrocarbons, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1940, 62, 4, 806-814, https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01861a032 . [all data]

Tickner and Lossing, 1951
Tickner, A.W.; Lossing, F.P., The Measurement of Low Vapor Pressures by Means of a Mass Spectrometer., J. Phys. Chem., 1951, 55, 5, 733-740, https://doi.org/10.1021/j150488a013 . [all data]

Menaucourt, 1982
Menaucourt, J., Saturated vapor pressure of ethylene from 77 to 119 K, J. Chim. Phys. Phys.-Chim. Biol., 1982, 79, 6, 531. [all data]

Chao, Hall, et al., 1983
Chao, J.; Hall, K.R.; Yao, J.M., Thermodynamic properties of simple alkenes, Thermochim. Acta, 1983, 64(3), 285-303. [all data]

Domalski and Hearing, 1996
Domalski, Eugene S.; Hearing, Elizabeth D., Heat Capacities and Entropies of Organic Compounds in the Condensed Phase. Volume III, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1996, 25, 1, 1, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.555985 . [all data]

Hunter and Lias, 1998
Hunter, E.P.; Lias, S.G., Evaluated Gas Phase Basicities and Proton Affinities of Molecules: An Update, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1998, 27, 3, 413-656, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.556018 . [all data]

Ohno, Okamura, et al., 1995
Ohno, K.; Okamura, K.; Yamakado, H.; Hoshino, S.; Takami, T.; Yamauchi, M., Penning ionization of HCHO, CH₂CH₂, and CH₂CHCHO by collision with He*(2 3S) metastable atoms, J. Phys. Chem., 1995, 99, 14247. [all data]

Williams and Cool, 1991
Williams, B.A.; Cool, T.A., Two-photon spectroscopy of Rydberg states of jet-cooled C₂H₄ and C₂D₄, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1991, 94, 6358. [all data]

Plessis and Marmet, 1986
Plessis, P.; Marmet, P., Electroionization study of ethylene: Ionization and appearance energies, ion-pair formations, and negative ions, Can. J. Phys., 1986, 65, 165. [all data]

Kimura, Katsumata, et al., 1981
Kimura, K.; Katsumata, S.; Achiba, Y.; Yamazaki, T.; Iwata, S., Ionization energies, Ab initio assignments, and valence electronic structure for 200 molecules in Handbook of HeI Photoelectron Spectra of Fundamental Organic Compounds, Japan Scientific Soc. Press, Tokyo, 1981. [all data]

Wood and Taylor, 1979
Wood, K.V.; Taylor, J.W., A photoionization mass spectrometric study of autoionization in ethylene and trans-2-butene, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1979, 30, 307. [all data]

Carlier and Botter, 1979
Carlier, J.; Botter, R., Photoelectron spectra of ethylene of the six deuterated derivatives, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1979, 17, 91. [all data]

Sell, Mintz, et al., 1978
Sell, J.A.; Mintz, D.M.; Kupperman, A., Photoelectron angular distributions of carbon-carbon π electrons in ethylene, benzene, and their fluorinated derivatives, Chem. Phys. Lett., 1978, 58, 601. [all data]

Bieri, Burger, et al., 1977
Bieri, G.; Burger, F.; Heilbronner, E.; Maier, J.P., Valence ionization enrgies of hydrocarbons, Helv. Chim. Acta, 1977, 60, 2213. [all data]

Van Veen, 1976
Van Veen, E.H., Low-energy electron-impact spectroscopy on ethylene, Chem. Phys. Lett., 1976, 41, 540. [all data]

Stockbauer and Inghram, 1975
Stockbauer, R.; Inghram, M.G., Vibrational structure in the ground state of ethylene ethylene-d4 molecular ions investigated by threshold photoelectron spectroscopy, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1975, 7, 492. [all data]

Stockbauer and Inghram, 1975, 2
Stockbauer, R.; Inghram, M.G., Threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence mass spectrometric study of ethylene and ethylene-d4, J. Chem. Phys., 1975, 62, 4862. [all data]

Rabalais, Debies, et al., 1974
Rabalais, J.W.; Debies, T.P.; Berkosky, J.L.; Huang, J.-T.J.; Ellison, F.O., Calculated photoionization cross sections relative experimental photoionization intensities for a selection of small molecules, J. Chem. Phys., 1974, 61, 516. [all data]

Maeda, Suzuki, et al., 1974
Maeda, K.; Suzuki, I.H.; Koyama, Y., Ionization efficiency curves of ethylene by electron impact, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1974, 14, 273. [all data]

Knowles and Nicholson, 1974
Knowles, D.J.; Nicholson, A.J.C., Ionization energies of formic and acetic acid monomers, J. Chem. Phys., 1974, 60, 1180. [all data]

Gordon, Krige, et al., 1974
Gordon, S.M.; Krige, G.J.; Reid, N.W., Isotope effects in the unimolecular decomposition of ethylene by low-energy electron impact, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1974, 14, 109. [all data]

Masclet, Grosjean, et al., 1973
Masclet, P.; Grosjean, D.; Mouvier, G., Alkene ionization potentials. Part I. Quantitative determination of alkyl group structural effects, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1973, 2, 225. [all data]

Beez, Bieri, et al., 1973
Beez, M.; Bieri, G.; Bock, H.; Heilbronner, E., The ionization potentials of butadiene, hexatriene, andtheir methyl derivatives: evidence for through space interaction between double bond π-orbitals and non-bonded pseudo-π orbitals of methyl groups?, Helv. Chim. Acta, 1973, 56, 1028. [all data]

Mason, Kuppermann, et al., 1972
Mason, D.C.; Kuppermann, A.; Mintz, D.M., Angular distribution of electrons from the photoionization of ethylene in Electron Spectroscopy, ed. D.A. Shirley (North Holland, Amsterdam), 1972, 269. [all data]

Brundle, Robin, et al., 1972
Brundle, C.R.; Robin, M.B.; Kuebler, N.A.; Basch, H., Perfluoro effect in photoelectron spectroscopy. I. Nonaromatic molecules, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1972, 94, 1451. [all data]

Frost and Sandhu, 1971
Frost, D.C.; Sandhu, J.S., Ionization potentials of ethylene and some methyl-substituted ethylenes as determined by photoelectron spectroscopy, Indian J. Chem., 1971, 9, 1105. [all data]

Branton, Frost, et al., 1970
Branton, G.R.; Frost, D.C.; Makita, T.; McDowell, C.A.; Stenhouse, I.A., Photoelectron spectra of ethylene and ethylene-d₄, J. Chem. Phys., 1970, 52, 802. [all data]

Eland, 1969
Eland, J.H.D., Photoelectron spectra of conjugated hydrocarbons and heteromolecules, Intern. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1969, 2, 471. [all data]

Williams and Hamill, 1968
Williams, J.M.; Hamill, W.H., Ionization potentials of molecules and free radicals and appearance potentials by electron impact in the mass spectrometer, J. Chem. Phys., 1968, 49, 4467. [all data]

Baker, Baker, et al., 1968
Baker, A.D.; Baker, C.; Brundle, C.R.; Turner, D.W., The electronic structures of methane, ethane, ethylene and formaldehyde studied by high-resolution molecular photoelectron spectroscopy, Intern. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1968, 1, 285. [all data]

Brehm, 1966
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Botter, Dibeler, et al., 1966
Botter, R.; Dibeler, V.H.; Walker, J.A.; Rosenstock, H.M., Mass-spectrometric study of photoionization. IV.Ethylene and 1,2-dideuteroethylene, J. Chem. Phys., 1966, 45, 1298. [all data]

Nicholson, 1965
Nicholson, A.J.C., Photoionization-efficiency curves. II. False and genuine structure, J. Chem. Phys., 1965, 43, 1171. [all data]

Momigny, 1963
Momigny, J., Ionization potentials and the structures of the photo-ionization yield curves of ethylene and its halogeno derivatives, Nature, 1963, 199, 1179. [all data]

Watanabe, 1954
Watanabe, K., Photoionization and total absorption cross section of gases. I. Ionization potentials of several molecules. Cross sections of NH₃ and NO, J. Chem. Phys., 1954, 22, 1564. [all data]

Price and Tutte, 1940
Price, W.C.; Tutte, W.T., The absorption spectra of ethylene, deutero-ethylene and some alkyl-substituted ethylenes in the vacuum ultra-violet, Proc. Roy. Soc. (London), 1940, A174, 207. [all data]

Kusch, Hustrulid, et al., 1937
Kusch, P.; Hustrulid, A.; Tate, J.T., The dissociation of HCN, C₂H₂, C₂N₂ and C₂H₄ by electron impact, Phys. Rev., 1937, 52, 843. [all data]

Bieri and Asbrink, 1980
Bieri, G.; Asbrink, L., 30.4-nm He(II) photoelectron spectra of organic molecules, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1980, 20, 149. [all data]

Krause, Taylor, et al., 1978
Krause, D.A.; Taylor, J.W.; Fenske, R.F., An analysis of the effects of alkyl substituents on the ionization potentials of n-alkenes, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1978, 100, 718. [all data]

Kobayashi, 1978
Kobayashi, T., A simple general tendency in photoelectron angular distributions of some monosubstituted benzenes, Phys. Lett., 1978, 69, 105. [all data]

White, Carlson, et al., 1974
White, R.M.; Carlson, T.A.; Spears, D.P., Angular distribution of the photoelectron spectra for ethylene, propylene, butene and butadiene, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1974, 3, 59. [all data]

Chupka, Berkowitz, et al., 1969
Chupka, W.A.; Berkowitz, J.; Refaey, K.M.A., Photoionization of ethylene with mass analysis, J. Chem. Phys., 1969, 50, 1938. [all data]

Bombach, Dannacher, et al., 1984
Bombach, R.; Dannacher, J.; Stadelmann, J.-P., The rate/energy functions for the competitive fragmentation processes of ethylene and ethane cations, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Processes, 1984, 58, 217. [all data]

Gordon, Harvey, et al., 1977
Gordon, S.M.; Harvey, G.A.; Jackson, J.R.; Tresling, J.D.; Van Niekerk, J.M., Computer-assisted retarding potential difference system for ionization efficiency measurements, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1977, 23, 259. [all data]

Finney and Harrison, 1972
Finney, C.D.; Harrison, A.G., A third-derivative method for determining electron-impact onset potentials, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1972, 9, 221. [all data]

Shiromaru, Achiba, et al., 1987
Shiromaru, H.; Achiba, Y.; Kimura, K.; Lee, Y.T., Determination of the C-H bond dissociation energies of ethylene and acetylene by observation of the threshold energies of H⁺ formation by synchrotron radiation, J. Phys. Chem., 1987, 91, 17. [all data]

Ervin, Gronert, et al., 1990
Ervin, K.M.; Gronert, S.; Barlow, S.E.; Gilles, M.K.; Harrison, A.G.; Bierbaum, V.M.; DePuy, C.H.; Lin, W.C., Bonds Strengths of Ethylene and Acetylene, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1990, 112, 15, 5750, https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00171a013 . [all data]

DePuy, Gronert, et al., 1989
DePuy, C.H.; Gronert, S.; Barlow, S.E.; Bierbaum, V.M.; Damrauer, R., The Gas Phase Acidities of the Alkanes, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1989, 111, 6, 1968, https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00188a003 . [all data]

Peerboom, Rademaker, et al., 1992
Peerboom, R.A.L.; Rademaker, G.J.; Dekoning, L.J.; Nibbering, N.M.M., Stabilization of Cycloalkyl Carbanions in the Gas Phase, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom., 1992, 6, 6, 394, https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.1290060608 . [all data]

Froelicher, Freiser, et al., 1986
Froelicher, S.W.; Freiser, B.S.; Squires, R.R., The C₃H₅^- isomers. Experimental and theoretical studies of the tautomeric propenyl ions and the cyclopropyl anion in the gas phase, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1986, 108, 2853. [all data]

Notes

Go To: Top, Phase change data, Gas phase ion energetics data, Mass spectrum (electron ionization), References

• Symbols used in this document:
  

  AE	Appearance energy
  IE (evaluated)	Recommended ionization energy
  Pc	Critical pressure
  Ptriple	Triple point pressure
  Tboil	Boiling point
  Tc	Critical temperature
  Tfus	Fusion (melting) point
  Ttriple	Triple point temperature
  Vc	Critical volume
  ΔfH(+) ion,0K	Enthalpy of formation of positive ion at 0K
  ΔfusH	Enthalpy of fusion
  ΔfusS	Entropy of fusion
  ΔrG°	Free energy of reaction at standard conditions
  ΔrH°	Enthalpy of reaction at standard conditions
  ΔsubH	Enthalpy of sublimation
  ΔvapH	Enthalpy of vaporization
  ΔvapS	Entropy of vaporization
  ρc	Critical density

• Data from NIST Standard Reference Database 69: NIST Chemistry WebBook
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