CompoundList
Sign in
Plant growth regulators

Ethylene

Also known as Ethene, Acetene, Elayl

CAS 74-85-1Formula C2H4Molar mass 28.05 g/molEC 200-815-3
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Flammable, Gas under pressure, Harmful or irritant 176 suppliers listed
Get quotes Compare 176 suppliers
Ethylene chemical structure, C2H4, CAS 74-85-1
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless gas
Melting point
-169.2 °C
Boiling point
-103.8 °C
Density
50.5678 g/cm³ at -104 °C
Flash point
-100 °C
HS code
290121
Category
Plant growth regulators
UN number
UN 3138
Illustrative photo, industrial gas cylinders secured with a safety chain in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Ethylene?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Ethene is a gas molecular entity and an alkene. It has a role as a plant hormone and a refrigerant.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
ethene
CAS number
74-85-1 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 1517-53-9, 87701-65-3
EC numbers
200-815-3, 682-561-7
Molecular formula
C2H4
UNII
91GW059KN7
MDL number
MFCD00084423
InChIKey
VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C2H4/c1-2/h1-2H2
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
C=C

Synonyms

  • Ethene
  • Acetene
  • Elayl
  • Olefiant gas
  • Athylen
  • Etileno
  • Liquid ethylene
  • Bicarburretted hydrogen
  • Ethylene, pure
  • Aethylen
  • Aethen
  • Liquid ethyene
  • Ethylene (8CI)
  • Ethylene, compressed
  • Ethene (9CI)
  • CH2=CH2
  • H2C=CH2
  • Polyethylene(PE)
  • Ethylene, compressed [UN1962] [Flammable gas]
  • UN 1038
  • UN 1962
  • Ethylene (trans-1,2-d2)
  • Plastipore
  • Ethylene, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid)
  • cis-alkene
Show all 32 synonyms
  • D-Asp9-Tirzepatide
  • Ethene, 9CI
  • D-Lys16-Tirzepatide
  • Ethylene-cmpd
  • Des-Trp25-Tirzepatide
  • Ethylene, 99.99%
  • Ethylene, >=99.5%

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Colorless gasexp.
Odour
Sweetexp.
Taste
Tastelessexp.
Melting point
-169.2 °Cexp.
Boiling point
-103.8 °Cexp.
Density
50.5678 g/cm³ at -104 °Cexp.
Flash point
-100 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
450 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 131 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
Vapor pressure 4,040 kPa (-1.5 °C)exp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
28.05 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
28.0313 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
0.8calc.
Topological polar surface area
0 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
0calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
2calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS02: Flammable
Flammable
GHS04: Gas under pressure
Gas under pressure
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
422WNFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H220Extremely flammable gas.
  • H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Precautionary statements (14)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P222Do not allow contact with air.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P377Leaking gas fire: do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely.
  • P381In case of leakage, eliminate all ignition sources.
  • P403Store in a well-ventilated place.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 3138
Transport hazard class
2.1

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Ethylene suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 176 suppliers
30 of 30 offers

Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

176 suppliers in 29 countries

Send one request to many suppliers

Choose up to 10 suppliers or let us match your request. Compare quotes side by side, free.

Choose suppliersPost a request

Ethylene price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.

Get latest price

Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Oxyethylene welding and cutting metals, manufacture of alcohol, mustard gas, and many other organics. Manufacture of ethylene oxide (for plastics), polythene, polystyrene and other plastics. Plant growth regulator, used commercially to accelerate the ripening of various fruits.

Induces ripening, causes leaves to droop and drop, promotes senescence.

Ethylene is used in the production of fabricated plastics, antifreeze, making fibers, to manufacture ethylene oxide, polyethylene for plastics, alcohol, mustard gas, and other organics.

Industrial uses: Intermediate, Refrigerants, Plasticizer, Fuel, Processing aids not otherwise specified, Monomers.

Consumer uses: Monomers, Intermediate.

Pharmacological actions

  • Plant Growth Regulators

Roles

  • agonist
  • growth regulator
  • hormone
  • molecular messenger
  • plant growth regulator
  • plant hormone
  • refrigerant

Functional uses

  • Binder
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified

How it is made

Production of ethylene is currently based on steam cracking of petroleum hydrocarbons. Various feedstocks, including ethane, propane, butanes, naphthas and gas oils, are used to produce ethylene. Naphthas are the principal raw material used in western Europe and Japan, accounting for over 80% of the ethylene produced. Ethane is the primary feedstock in the USA, followed by propane, naphthas, gas oils and butane. Small amounts of ethylene are recovered from other feedstocks, such as retrograde-field condensates and refinery waste gases.

Read more

Dehydration of ethanol is the third commercial route to ethylene.

Prepared by decomposition of petroleum gases or by dehydration of alcohol.

The bulk of the worldwide annual commercial production of ethylene is based on thermal cracking of petroleum hydrocarbons with steam, the process is commonly called pyrolysis or steam cracking.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 601-010-00-3

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Ethylene is traded under.

HS 2901.21Exact HS code

Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, ethylene

World exports in 2024
$5.91B
+5.4% vs 2023, imports $6.02B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. South Korea26.1%
  2. Netherlands17.8%
  3. United States9.6%
Top importers
  1. China32.9%
  2. Belgium21.9%
  3. Indonesia15.0%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Ethylene is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Ethylene, based on the data on this page

What is Ethylene?

Ethene is a gas molecular entity and an alkene. It has a role as a plant hormone and a refrigerant.

What is the CAS number of Ethylene?

The CAS registry number of Ethylene is 74-85-1. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 1517-53-9, 87701-65-3.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Ethylene?

The molecular formula of Ethylene is C2H4 and its molar mass is 28.05 g/mol.

What is Ethylene used for?

Oxyethylene welding and cutting metals, manufacture of alcohol, mustard gas, and many other organics. Manufacture of ethylene oxide (for plastics), polythene, polystyrene and other plastics. Plant growth regulator, used commercially to accelerate the ripening of various fruits.

Is Ethylene hazardous?

Ethylene carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: extremely flammable gas, may cause drowsiness or dizziness. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Ethylene?

Ethylene is usually classified under HS code 290121 (Ethylene). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Ethylene?

CompoundList lists 176 suppliers of Ethylene in United States, China, India, Germany and 25 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Ethylene in India?

13 suppliers in India list Ethylene on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Ethylene?

Suppliers quote Ethylene on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Ethylene

Get quotes for Ethylene

Post one free request with your grade, quantity and destination. Matching suppliers send quotes you can compare side by side.
Post a request Sell Ethylene
Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
Embed this structure on your websiteShow code

Paste this code into your page to show the 2D structure of Ethylene with a 3D view, its CAS number and a link back to this page. Free to use with the link kept.

<iframe src="https://www.compoundlist.com/embed/structure/ethylene-74-85-1" title="Ethylene structure on CompoundList" width="360" height="420" style="border:1px solid #E7E2DA;border-radius:12px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe>
Preview the embed

Explore more in Plant growth regulators or HS code 290121

176 suppliers
Free quotes, contact stays private
Get quotes