or ethyne
Simplest alkyne, C 2 H 2 .
A colourless, flammable, explosive gas, it is used as a fuel in welding and cutting metals and as a raw material for many organic compounds and plastics. It is produced by reaction of water with calcium carbide, passage of a hydrocarbon through an electric arc, or partial combustion of methane. Decomposing it liberates heat; depending on degree of purity, it is also an explosive. An acetylene torch reaches about 6,000 kF (3,300 kC), hotter than combustion of any other known gas mixture. See also hydrocarbon .