This is a SAMPLE of the propane formation process. Click on the buttons to go through the process.

Propane Formation

Propane is formed by an alkyl reaction between methane and ethylene. This figure shows an ethylene molecule at the top and a methane molecule at the bottom.

As the methane molecules goes through the alkyl reaction, the ethylene molecule is also changing. One of the double bonds in the ethylene molecules breaks up to form two active sites. After the creation of the active sites, the two molecules combine to form propane.

Click on the buttons in the illustration to see a demonstration of the molecular reactions.