Ethane is a hydrocarbon molecule with a structural formula consisting of two carbon atoms bonded by a single bond (carbon-carbon bond) and six hydrogen atoms bonded to those carbon atoms. The structural representation of ethane shows that each carbon atom has three bonds, with hydrogen atoms filling in the remaining valencies. Regarding its chemical properties, ethane is a nonpolar molecule because the electronegativity difference between carbon and hydrogen atoms is relatively small, leading to equal sharing of electrons within the carbon-hydrogen bonds. The structural π
of ethane, C2H6, contributes to its physical features, such as its comparatively low boiling point and relatively high flammability.
