Calcium carbide (CaC2) undergoes a series of reactions to form acetylene (C2H2), ethylene (C2H4), and ultimately carbon dioxide (CO2) as follows:

CaC2 + 2H2O → C2H2 + Ca(OH)2 (formation of acetylene)C2H2 + H2 → C2H4 (formation of ethylene)C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O (formation of carbon dioxide)

Overall reaction:
CaC2 + 2H2O + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O + Ca(OH)2

This series of reactions is commonly used in industry for the production of various chemicals and fuels.