CnH2n

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ethylene \Eth"yl*ene\ ([e^]th"[i^]l*[=e]n), n. [From {Ethyl}.]
     (Chem.)
     A colorless, gaseous hydrocarbon, {C2H4}, forming an
     important ingredient of illuminating gas, and also obtained
     by the action of concentrated sulphuric acid in alcohol. It
     is an unsaturated compound and combines directly with


     chlorine and bromine to form oily liquids (Dutch liquid), --
     hence called {olefiant gas}. Called also {ethene}, {elayl},
     and formerly, {bicarbureted hydrogen}.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Ethylene series} (Chem.), the series of unsaturated
        hydrocarbons of which ethylene is the type, and
        represented by the general formula {CnH2n}.
        [1913 Webster]