The key difference between acetylene and propane is that acetylene has a triple bond between two carbon atoms whereas propane has no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms other than single bonds. Although both these compounds are gases, there are many other difference between acetylene and propane as discussed in this article in detail.
Acetylene is C2H2 ,and its systemic name is ethyne. Also, it is a hydrocarbon and is the simplest alkyne that exists as a colorless gas. Propane is C3H8, and its a simple alkane that has no unsaturation (no double bonds or triple bonds). It also exists as a gas. However, we can convert it into a liquid.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Acetylene
3. What is Propane
4. Side by Side Comparison – Acetylene vs Propane in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Acetylene?
Acetylene is the simplest alkyne having the chemical formula C2H2. The systemic IUPAC name of this compound is ethyne. Also, it is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure conditions. We can categorize it as a hydrocarbon because it contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms with bonds between carbon atoms. We use this gas widely as a fuel and a building block for the synthesis of different chemical compounds.
Figure 01: Chemical Structure of Acetylene
There is a triple bond between the two carbon atoms of this molecule. Moreover, the valency of one carbon atoms is 4. Therefore, each carbon atoms binds to a hydrogen atom via a single bond. The molecule has a linear geometry, and it is a planar structure. Each carbon atom is sp hybridized.
What is Propane?
Propane is a simple alkane having the chemical formula C3H8. It is a colorless gas at room temperature, and in its pure forms, this gas is odorless. Furthermore, its molar mass is 44.10 g/mol. This compound has common use as fuel. The LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) has liquefied propane gas.
Figure 02: Chemical Structure of Propane
However, there are some other gases we can use as LP gas. Ex: Butane, propylene, butadiene, etc. This gas forms as a byproduct of two processes; natural gas processing and petroleum oil refining.
What is the Difference Between Acetylene and Propane?
Acetylene is the simplest alkyne having the chemical formula C2H2. The molar mass of this molecule is 26.04 g/mol. It is an unsaturated compound because it has a triple bond between the two carbon atoms it has. Propane is a simple alkane having the chemical formula C3H8. The molar mass is 44.01 g/mol. It is a saturated compound because it has only single bonds between atoms; there are no double bonds or triple bonds present.
Summary – Acetylene vs Propane
Acetylene and propane are hydrocarbon compounds and are gases at room temperature. They are important as fuels. The difference between acetylene and propane is that acetylene has a triple bond between two carbon atoms whereas propane has no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms other than single bonds.
Reference:
1. “Acetylene.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 June 2018. Available here
2. “Propane.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 June 2018. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’Acetylene-CRC-IR-3D-balls’By Ben Mills – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’Propane-3D-balls-B’By Ben Mills – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia