Product Name : Styrene monomers
Synonyms : Vinyl benzene; Stryrene; Cinnamenol; Cinnamol; Cinnamene; Cinnamenol; Ethenylbenzene; Phenethylene; Vinylbenzene; Vinylbenzol; Phenylethene; Styrolene; Styron; Styropol; Styropor;
A brief history : Styrene was first isolated from styrax, the resin from a Turkish tree. Styrene production in the United States saw a massive rise during the 1940s, when it was popularized as raw material for synthetic rubber.
About the Product : Styrene, an organic compound, is a derivative of benzene. It is a colourless oily liquid and has a pleasant odour. It evaporates easily and is highly flammable. It is insoluble in water. Styrene monomers are used to manufacture plastics, synthetic rubber, resins, insulator etc.
Product Identification Features:
CAS Number: 100-42-5
H.S. Code: 2902.50
Chemical formula: H2C=C6H5CH
Chemical Properties:
Melting point: -30-31 C
Boling point: 145-146 C
Specific gravity: 0.91
Solubility in water: < 1%
Vapour density: 3.60
Production Process : Styrene was initially produced by decarboxylation of cinnamic acid.
Catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene in the presence of catalysts such as iron (III) oxide, promoted by several percent potassium oxide or potassium carbonate, will produce styrene
Styrene can also be produced by treating ethylbenzene with oxygen to give ethylbenzene hydroperoxide, which is then used to oxidize propylene to propylene oxide, which leads to the production of 2-phenylethanol, which is then dehydrated to produce styrene. This process is known as POSM (Lyondell Chemical Company) or SM/PO (Shell) for styrene monomer / propylene oxide.
Styrene can be also produced from toluene and methanol. Another ongoing process is to try and produce styrene via benzene and ethane.
Uses :
Used as a raw material for polystyrene and EPS.
Used as a feedstock for unsaturated polyester resins.
Used to manufacture SBR.
Used in the production of homopolymers and copolymers.
Used for food packaging.
Used in the construction industry.
Used to manufacture interior automotive components.
