2901.21.00.00 - Ethylene

This category, HTS Code 2901.21.00.00, specifically covers Ethylene. Ethylene is a simple unsaturated hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C₂H₄. It is a colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor and is primarily known as a foundational building block in the petrochemical industry. Its key characteristic is the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond, which makes it highly reactive and a crucial monomer for the production of a vast array of polymers, most notably polyethylene.

Ethylene is distinguished from its sibling categories by its specific molecular structure and number of carbon atoms. Propene (2901.22.00.00) has three carbon atoms and one double bond, while butenes (2901.23.00.00) contain four carbon atoms with one double bond. Buta-1,3-diene and isoprene (2901.24) are also distinguished by having two carbon-carbon double bonds within their structures. This classification focuses solely on the two-carbon unsaturated hydrocarbon, ethylene.

As a leaf node, 2901.21.00.00 does not have further subdivisions. Therefore, the classification of ethylene is direct. This entry encompasses ethylene in its pure form or as a component in mixtures where it is the predominant constituent and defines its primary use as a fundamental organic chemical. Practical classification relies on accurate identification of the substance, typically verified through analytical testing or supplier documentation confirming its chemical identity as ethylene.