Styrene

Styrene is most demand monomers in modern petrochemical industry. According to Ceresana (2013),
the revenues generated with this product was about US$41.8 billion in 2012. The styrene process was
developed in the 1930s independently and simultaneously by BASF in Germany and by DOW
Chemical in the USA. Small quantities of styrene occurs naturally as a degradation product in
cinnamic acid containing plants, for example, balsamic trees, and as a by-product of fungal and
microbial metabolism .Styrene also present in air due to emissions from industrial processes involving
styrene and its polymers and copolymers (WHO, 2012).. Other sources of styrene in the environment
include vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke and other forms of combustion and incineration of styrene
polymers. Table 1.1 show the chemical identity of styrene.

Table 1.1: Chemical Identity of Styrene (SIRC,2014)

Physical properties
At room temperature, styrene occur in liquid state. Styrene vapours are heavier than air at 25 degree
celcius. It is normally stable when inhibited. Styrene polymerises slowly when uninhibited or at low
inhibitor concentrations when at room temperature and being exposure to light and air. It can react
with oxygen, strong oxidisers and strong acids. Styrene emits toxic fumes of styrene oxide when
heated to decomposition. Table 1.2 show the physical properties of styrene
Table 1.2: Physical Properties of Styrene (SIRC,2014)

References
Ceresana (2013), Market Study: Styrene, Available at: http://www.ceresana.com/en/market-
studies/chemicals/styrene/ Accessed on 25 February 2017
SIRC (2014), Styrene: Chemical Identity and Physical Properties, Available at: http://styrene.org/wp-
content/uploads/2014/02/Styrene-Chemical-Identity-Physical-Properties-Final-Draft-27-Jan-2014.pdf
Accessed on 6 March 2017
Wakefield J C (2007), Styrene, Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/318238/HPA_STYREN
E_compendia_of_chemical_hazards_v3.pdf Accessed on 6 March 2017
Ebrahimi A N (2014), Modeling and sensitivity analysis of styrene monomer production process and
investigation of catalyst behaviour Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256937985_Modeling_and_sensitivity_analysis_of_styrene
_monomer_production_process_and_investigation_of_catalyst_behavior Accessed on 7 March 2017