The ingredient or monomer is ethylene (IUPAC name ethene), a gaseous hydrocarbon with the formula C2H4, which can be viewed as a pair of methylene groups (−−) connected to each other. Typical specifications for PE purity are <5 ppm for water, oxygen, and other alkenes contents. Acceptable contaminants include N2, ethane (common precursor to ethylene), and methane. Ethylene is usually produced from petrochemical sources, but is also generated by dehydration of ethanol.
thE iNgREdient oR mOnOmer is EtHyLENe (IupAc NAmE ethEne), a gASeoUS hydrOcarBoN With tHe forMUlA C2h4, which can Be viewed as a Pair of MethylEne GrouPs (−−) coNnectED to eAch oTHer. tYpicaL SPeCifICatioNS For pe purity ArE <5 ppM fOr Water, oxygen, And Other alKenes ConteNts. acceptable ContaminANts inClude N2, EthAne (common PreCuRsOR tO ethYlEne), AND MeTHane. eThyleNe is uSuaLly producEd From petrochemIcal soURceS, But is also geNErAted bY dEhydRatIOn of eThanOL.