Constituent monomers
Polystyrene and styrene copolymers

• Styrene

Styrene, C₆H₅CH$=$CH₂, is the main monomer in styrenic polymers. It is prepared from ethylene and benzene, which combine to form ethylbenzene, which is dehydrogenated or cracked to give styrene.

Radical polymerization of styrene alone produces a homo-polymer, crystal-standard polystyrene, an amorphous, atactic, transparent and brittle product.

Metallocene-catalyzed polymerization leads to syndiotactic polystyrene, an opaque product with a crystalline structure and high technical performance, but much more expensive than standard PS.

Because styrene is compatible with many monomers and polymers, it can be modified by copolymerization to provide specific properties, such as impact resistance,...