Calcium carbide (CaC₂) is a chemical compound, also known as calcium acetylide, primarily used to produce acetylene gas and calcium cyanamide. It’s a grayish-black, crystalline solid with a garlic-like odor, though pure calcium carbide is colorless. It reacts with water to generate acetylene, a flammable gas used in welding and other applications. 

Key Uses:

• Acetylene Production:Calcium carbide reacts with water to produce acetylene, a flammable gas used in welding, metal cutting, and as a building block in organic synthesis. 
• Calcium Cyanamide Production:Calcium carbide is also used in the production of calcium cyanamide, which has various industrial applications. 
• Organic Synthesis:Calcium carbide is employed in various organic reactions, including Sonogashira and click reactions. 
• Steel Manufacturing:Calcium carbide can act as a reducing agent in steel production. 
• Pineapple Blooming:Calcium carbide can be used to induce flowering in pineapple plants by generating acetylene gas when dissolved in water. 
• Historical Lighting:It was historically used in carbide lamps for miners, producing light by reacting with water to generate acetylene. 

Properties:

• Chemical Formula: CaC₂
• Appearance: Grayish-black, crystalline solid (technical grade); colorless in pure form.
• Odor: Garlic-like odor due to impurities.
• Density: 2.22 g/cc
• Melting Point: 2160 °C
• Boiling Point: 2300 °C (under inert atmosphere)
• Reaction with Water: Reacts with water to produce acetylene gas (C₂H₂) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂).