What is "ethanium"

n. (context chemistry English) the carbocation, C₂H₇⁺, derived by the hydrogenation of ethane

In chemistry, ethanium or protonated ethane is a highly reactive positive ion with formula . It can be described as a molecule of ethane with one extra proton ( hydrogen nucleus), that gives it a +1 electric charge.

Ethanium is one of the simplest carbonium ions (after methanium ). It was first detected as a rarefied gas in 1960 by S. Wexler and N. Jesse. It easily dissociates into ethenium and molecular hydrogen .