Ethane

• Formula: C₂H₆
• Molecular weight: 30.0690
• IUPAC Standard InChI: InChI=1S/C2H6/c1-2/h1-2H3 Copy

  
• IUPAC Standard InChIKey: OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copy
• CAS Registry Number: 74-84-0
• 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.
• Species with the same structure:
  • 1-Ethenyl-1-methyl-2,4-bis-(1-methylethenyl)-1S-1α,2β,4α-cyclohexane
• Isotopologues:
  • pentadeuteroethane
  • Ethane-d1
• Other names: Bimethyl; Dimethyl; Ethyl hydride; Methylmethane; C2H6; UN 1035; UN 1961
• Information on this page:
  • Gas phase thermochemistry data
  • Phase change data
  • Gas phase ion energetics data
  • Mass spectrum (electron ionization)
  • References
  • Notes
• Other data available:
  • Condensed phase thermochemistry data
  • Reaction thermochemistry data
  • Henry's Law data
  • Ion clustering data
  • IR Spectrum
  • Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels
  • 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
  • Reference simulation
• Options:
  • Switch to calorie-based 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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Gas phase thermochemistry data

Go To: Top, Phase change data, 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:
DRB - Donald R. Burgess, Jr.
ALS - Hussein Y. Afeefy, Joel F. Liebman, and Stephen E. Stein
GT - Glushko Thermocenter, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Constant pressure heat capacity of gas

Constant pressure heat capacity of gas

Phase change data

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, 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:
DH - Eugene S. Domalski and Elizabeth D. Hearing
TRC - Thermodynamics Research Center, NIST Boulder Laboratories, Chris Muzny director
AC - William E. Acree, Jr., James S. Chickos

Enthalpy of vaporization

Enthalpy of vaporization

Δ_vapH = A exp(-βT_r) (1 − T_r)^β
    Δ_vapH = Enthalpy of vaporization (at saturation pressure) (kJ/mol)
    T_r = reduced temperature (T / T_c)

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Entropy of vaporization

Antoine Equation Parameters

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

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Enthalpy of sublimation

Enthalpy of fusion

Entropy of fusion

Enthalpy of phase transition

Entropy of phase transition

Gas phase ion energetics data

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, 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 C₂H₆⁺ (ion structure unspecified)

Ionization energy determinations

Appearance energy determinations

De-protonation reactions

C₂H₅^- +  =

By formula: C₂H₅^- + H⁺ = C₂H₆

Mass spectrum (electron ionization)

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, 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, Gas phase thermochemistry data, 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.

Manion, 2002
Manion, J.A., Evaluated Enthalpies of Formation of the Stable Closed Shell C1 and C2 Chlorinated Hydrocarbons, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 2002, 31, 1, 123-172, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1420703 . [all data]

Gurvich, Veyts, et al., 1991
Thermodynamic Properties of Individual Substances, 4th edition, Volume 2, Gurvich, L.V.; Veyts, I.V.; Alcock, C.B.;, ed(s)., Hemisphere, New York, 1991. [all data]

Pittam and Pilcher, 1972
Pittam, D.A.; Pilcher, G., Measurements of heats of combustion by flame calorimetry. Part 8.-Methane, ethane, propane, n-butane and 2-methylpropane, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 1, 1972, 68, 2224-2229. [all data]

Prosen and Rossini, 1945
Prosen, E.J.; Rossini, F.D., Heats of combustion and formation of the paraffin hydrocarbons at 25° C, J. Res. NBS, 1945, 263-267. [all data]

Rossini, 1934
Rossini, F.D., Calorimetric determination of the heats of combustion of ethane, propane, normal butane, and normal pentane, J. Res. NBS, 1934, 12, 735-750. [all data]

Gurvich, Veyts, et al., 1989
Gurvich, L.V.; Veyts, I.V.; Alcock, C.B., Thermodynamic Properties of Individual Substances, 4th ed.; Vols. 1 and 2, Hemisphere, New York, 1989. [all data]

Pitzer K.S., 1944
Pitzer K.S., Thermodynamics of gaseous paraffins. Specific heat and related properties, Ind. Eng. Chem., 1944, 36, 829-831. [all data]

Chao J., 1973
Chao J., Ideal gas thermodynamic properties of ethane and propane, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1973, 2, 427-438. [all data]

Pamidimukkala K.M., 1982
Pamidimukkala K.M., Ideal gas thermodynamic properties of CH3, CD3, CD4, C2D2, C2D4, C2D6, C2H6, CH3N2CH3, and CD3N2CD3, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1982, 11, 83-99. [all data]

Halford J.O., 1957
Halford J.O., Standard heat capacities of gaseous methanol, ethanol, methane and ethane at 279 K by thermal conductivity, J. Phys. Chem., 1957, 61, 1536-1539. [all data]

Eucken A., 1933
Eucken A., Molar heats and normal frequencies of ethane and ethylene, Z. Phys. Chem., 1933, B20, 184-194. [all data]

Kistiakowsky G.B., 1939
Kistiakowsky G.B., Gaseous heat capacities. I. The method and the heat capacities of C2H6 and C2D6, J. Chem. Phys., 1939, 7, 281-288. [all data]

Dailey B.P., 1943
Dailey B.P., The heat capacities at higher temperatures of ethane and propane, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1943, 65, 42-44. [all data]

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]

Timmermans, 1935
Timmermans, J., Researches in Stoichiometry. I. The Heat of Fusion of Organic Compounds., Bull. Soc. Chim. Belg., 1935, 44, 17-40. [all data]

Younglove and Ely, 1987
Younglove, B.A.; Ely, J.F., Thermophysical Properties of Fluids II. Methane, Ethane, Propane, Isobutane, and Normal Butane, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1987, 16, 577. [all data]

Majer and Svoboda, 1985
Majer, V.; Svoboda, V., Enthalpies of Vaporization of Organic Compounds: A Critical Review and Data Compilation, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1985, 300. [all data]

Witt and Kemp, 1937
Witt, R.K.; Kemp, J.D., The heat capacity of ethane from 15°K to the boiling point. The heat of fusion and the heat of vaporization, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1937, 59, 273-276. [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]

Carruth and Kobayashi, 1973
Carruth, Grant F.; Kobayashi, Riki, Vapor pressure of normal paraffins ethane through n-decane from their triple points to about 10 mm mercury, J. Chem. Eng. Data, 1973, 18, 2, 115-126, https://doi.org/10.1021/je60057a009 . [all data]

Reid, 1972
Reid, Robert C., Handbook on vapor pressure and heats of vaporization of hydrocarbons and related compounds, R. C. Wilhort and B. J. Zwolinski, Texas A Research Foundation. College Station, Texas(1971). 329 pages.$10.00, AIChE J., 1972, 18, 6, 1278-1278, https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.690180637 . [all data]

Loomis and Walters, 1926
Loomis, A.G.; Walters, J.E., THE VAPOR PRESSURE OF ETHANE NEAR THE NORMAL BOILING POINT ¹, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1926, 48, 8, 2051-2055, https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01419a006 . [all data]

Regnier, 1972
Regnier, J., J. Chim. Phys. Phys.-Chim. Biol., 1972, 69, 6, 942. [all data]

Bondi, 1963
Bondi, A., Heat of Siblimation of Molecular Crystals: A Catalog of Molecular Structure Increments., J. Chem. Eng. Data, 1963, 8, 3, 371-381, https://doi.org/10.1021/je60018a027 . [all data]

Atake and Chihara, 1976
Atake, T.; Chihara, H., Calorimetric study of the phase changes in solid ethane, Chem. Lett., 1976, (7), 683-688. [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]

Wiebe, Hubbard, et al., 1930
Wiebe, R.; Hubbard, K.H.; Brevoort, M.J., The heat capacity of saturated liquid ethane from the boiling point to the critical temperature and heat fusion of the solid, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1930, 52, 611-622. [all data]

Roder, 1976
Roder, H.M., The heats of transition of solid ethane, J. Chem. Phys., 1976, 65, 1371-1373. [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]

Au, Cooper, et al., 1993
Au, J.W.; Cooper, G.; Brion, C.E., The molecular and dissociative photoionization of ethane, propane, and n-butane: Absolute oscillator strengths (10-80 eV) and breakdown pathways, Chem. Phys., 1993, 173, 241. [all data]

Luo and Pacey, 1992
Luo, Y.-R.; Pacey, P.D., Effects of alkyl substitution on ionization energies of alkanes and haloalkanes and on heats of formation of their molecular cations. Part 2. Alkanes and chloro-, bromo- and iodoalkanes, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Processes, 1992, 112, 63. [all data]

Plessis and Marmet, 1987
Plessis, P.; Marmet, P., Electroionization study of ethane: structures in the ionization and appearance energy curves, Can. J. Chem., 1987, 65, 2004. [all data]

Plessis and Marmet, 1987, 2
Plessis, P.; Marmet, P., Electroionization study of ethane: Ionization and appearance energies, ion-pair formations and negative ions, Can. J. Chem., 1987, 65, 1424. [all data]

Chatham, Hils, et al., 1984
Chatham, H.; Hils, D.; Robertson, R.; Gallagher, A., Total and partial electron collisional ionization cross sections for CH₄, C₂H₆, SiH₄, and Si₂H₆, J. Chem. Phys., 1984, 81, 1770. [all data]

Suzuki and Maeda, 1977
Suzuki, I.H.; Maeda, K., Ionization efficiency curves of ethane by electron impact, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1977, 24, 147. [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]

Flesch and Svec, 1973
Flesch, G.D.; Svec, H.J., Fragmentation reactions in the mass spectrometer for C₂-C₅ alkanes, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 2, 1973, 69, 1187. [all data]

Stockbauer and Inghram, 1971
Stockbauer, R.; Inghram, M.G., Experimental relative Franck-Condon factors for the ionization of methane, ethane, and propane, J. Chem. Phys., 1971, 54, 2242. [all data]

Dewar and Worley, 1969
Dewar, M.J.S.; Worley, S.D., Photoelectron spectra of molecules. I. Ionization potentials of some organic molecules and their interpretation, J. Chem. Phys., 1969, 50, 654. [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]

Cermak, 1968
Cermak, V., Penning ionization electron spectroscopy, Advan. Mass Spectrom., 1968, 4, 697. [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]

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

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]

Doucet, Sauvageau, et al., 1975
Doucet, J.; Sauvageau, P.; Sandorfy, C., Photoelectron far-ultraviolet absorption spectra of chlorofluoro derivatives of ethane, J. Chem. Phys., 1975, 62, 355. [all data]

Suzuki and Maeda, 1977, 2
Suzuki, I.H.; Maeda, K., Behavior of hydrogen atoms in the fragmentation of CH₃CD₃, Can. J. Chem., 1977, 55, 3124. [all data]

D'Or, Collin, et al., 1966
D'Or, L.; Collin, J.E.; Longree, J., Ionisation et dissociation de l'ethane sous l'impact electronique. Spectres de masse et phenomenes d'echange dans C₂H₆, C₂H₅D, CH₃CD₃ et C₂D₆, Bull. Classe Sci. Acad. Roy. Belg., 1966, 52, 518. [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]

Chupka and Berkowitz, 1967
Chupka, W.A.; Berkowitz, J., Photoionization of ethane, propane, and n-butane with mass analysis, J. Chem. Phys., 1967, 47, 2921. [all data]

Traeger and McLoughlin, 1981
Traeger, J.C.; McLoughlin, R.G., Absolute heats of formation for gas phase cations, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1981, 103, 3647. [all data]

Newton, Sciamanna, et al., 1970
Newton, A.S.; Sciamanna, A.F.; Thomas, G.E., The occurrence of the H₃⁺ ion in the mass spectra of organic compounds, Intern. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1970, 5, 465. [all data]

Fuchs, 1972
Fuchs, R., Die kinetische energie ionisierter molekulfragmente VII. H₃ ALS fragmention bei der elektronenstrossionisierung von kohlenwasserstoffen, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Processes, 1972, 8, 193. [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]

DePuy, Bierbaum, et al., 1984
DePuy, C.H.; Bierbaum, V.M.; Damrauer, R., Relative Gas-Phase Acidities of the Alkanes, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1984, 106, 4051. [all data]

Notes

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

• Symbols used in this document:
  

  AE	Appearance energy
  Cp,gas	Constant pressure heat capacity of gas
  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
  ΔHtrs	Enthalpy of phase transition
  ΔStrs	Entropy of phase transition
  ΔcH°gas	Enthalpy of combustion of gas at standard conditions
  ΔfH°gas	Enthalpy of formation of gas at standard conditions
  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
  ΔvapH°	Enthalpy of vaporization at standard conditions
  ΔvapS	Entropy of vaporization
  ρc	Critical density

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