Ethylbenzene

/ˌɛθəlˈbɛnzin/ noun

Definition

An organic chemical compound made of a benzene ring with an ethyl group attached, widely used to produce styrene for plastics.

Etymology

From ethyl + benzene; named for its structure combining an ethyl substituent with the benzene ring.

Kelly Says

Almost all the plastic in everyday foam cups and takeout containers started as ethylbenzene—it gets converted to styrene monomer, which polymerizes into polystyrene, making it one of the most commercially important aromatic compounds.

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