The chemical reactions involved in the conversion of ethane $C2H6$ to ethanol $C2H5OH$ via ethylene $C2H4$ can be summarized as follows:

Dehydrogenation of Ethane $C2H6$:
C2H6 -> C2H4 + H2

Hydration of Ethylene $C2H4$:
C2H4 + H2O -> C2H5OH

Therefore, the overall reaction can be represented as:
C2H6 -> C2H4 -> C2H5OH

Ethane is dehydrogenated to form ethylene, which is then hydrated to produce ethanol.