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Also known as vinylbenzene, it is a key monomer in the petrochemical industry, primarily used for producing polystyrene and other copolymer resins. Classified as a Class 3 Flammable Liquid (UN number 2055), styrene is also listed as a hazardous substance due to its flammability, reactivity, and toxicological properties.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
| Chemical Formula | (C8H8) |
| Peso molecular | 104.15 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless transparent liquid; sharp aromatic odor |
| Key Physical Properties | Melting point: -30.6°C; boiling point: 145.2°C; density: 0.91 g/cm³ (20°C); volatile; slightly soluble in water, miscible with ethanol, ether, acetone, and most organic solvents |
| Purity Grades | Industrial grade (≥99.5%); polymerization-grade (≥99.8%, low inhibitor content); reagent grade (≥99.9%) |
| Production Method | Dominated by the ethylbenzene dehydrogenation process: ethylbenzene is heated with steam in the presence of a catalyst (e.g., iron oxide) to produce styrene and hydrogen. Small-scale production also uses styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) waste recycling. |
Core Chemical Properties
High Polymerization Activity: Styrene has a reactive vinyl group (CH=CH2) that readily undergoes free-radical polymerization—even at room temperature, it can slowly polymerize into polystyrene (PS), so industrial-grade styrene is usually stabilized with inhibitors (e.g., tert-butylcatechol).
Flammability: Highly flammable, with a flash point of 31°C and an explosive limit of 1.1%–6.1% (v/v) in air. Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air and ignite when exposed to open flames, heat, or sparks.
Copolymerization Capability: Reacts with other monomers (e.g., butadiene, acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride) to form copolymers with tailored properties, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic, and styrene-acrylic resins.
Toxicity: Inhalation of styrene vapor or skin contact can cause irritation to the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. Acute exposure may lead to headache, dizziness, and nausea; long-term exposure may affect the central nervous system and liver function. It is classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B, IARC).
Main Applications
Plastics Production: The largest application—polymerizes to form polystyrene (PS), including general-purpose polystyrene (GPS) for packaging and disposable utensils, and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) for household appliances and toy casings.
Copolymer Resins: A core raw material for ABS plastic (used in automotive parts, electronic housings, and pipes), SAN resin (styrene-acrylonitrile, for food containers and medical devices), and styrene-acrylic emulsions (for water-based paints and adhesives).
Rubber Industry: Copolymerizes with butadiene to produce styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), the most widely used synthetic rubber for tires, conveyor belts, and seals.
Other Uses: Used in manufacturing unsaturated polyester resins (for fiberglass-reinforced plastics), ion-exchange resins (for water treatment), and specialty coatings.