petrochemicals produced from ethylene are info Chemical Man

Ethylene is obtained by pyrolysis of natural gas or from naphtha by cracking. Ethylene isan unsaturated hydrocarbon and has a carbon-carbon double bond. Therefore, ethylene isvery reactive and can be converted to a variety of petrochemicals and useful end products.

The major petrochemicals produced from ethylene are :

1. Ethyl alcohol
2. Ethylene oxide
3. Ethylene glycol
4. Dichloroethane
5. Vinyl chloride
6. Polyethylene
7. Ethyl benzene

1.  Ethyl Alcohol

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is made by hydration of ethylene. Ethyl alcohol is used as a solventand a raw material for the manufacture of acetic acid, ethyl acetate and a large number ofother useful products.

2.  Ethylene  Oxide

Ethylene is oxidized to ethylene oxide with air or oxygen in the presence of a catalyst. It isa raw material for the manufacture of ethylene glycol, which is a starting material for themanufacture of polyester.

3.  Ethylene  Glycol

Ethylene glycol ( 1,2-dihydroxyethane) is manufactured by starting with ethylene. Thereare several methods by which ethylene is converted to ethylene glycol.
Glycol is used as an anti freeze in automobiles. Ethylene glycol is an important starting
material for the manufacture of polyester.

4.  Dichloroethane

Dichloroethane (1,2-dichloroethane) is made from ethylene by the reaction of chlorine. It
is used as a starting material for several other raw materials like ethylene glycol, vinyl
chloride, etc.

5. Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl chloride is made directly from ethylene or is made from ethylene dichloride.

6.  Polyethylene

On polymerization ethylene gives polyethylene (polyethene), which is an important plasticmaterial.

7.  Ethyl  Benzene

Ethylene reacts with benzene in the presence of a suitable catalyst to give ethyl benzene.Ethyl benzene is converted to styrene.