Ethylbenzene

Essentially all commercial ethylbenzene production is captively consumed for the manufacture of styrene monomer or in the co-production of styrene monomer with propylene oxide. Styrene is used in the production of polystyrene and a wide variety of other plastics. Of the minor uses, the most significant is in the paint industry as a solvent, which accounts for <1% of production capacity. Even smaller volumes go toward the production of acetophenone, diethylbenzene, and ethylanthraquinone.

Component for automotive and aviation fuels.

As a resin solvent.

Catalytic oxidation of ethylbenzene with air in the presence of heavy-metal oxides yields acetophenone and phenylmethylcarbinol.

Ethylbenzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon composed of a benzene ring linked to an ethyl group. Ethylbenzene is a constituent of petroleum and coal tar and is used as either a petroleum additive or a chemical intermediate in the production of polystyrene. High level exposure to airborne ethylbenzene is associated with eye and throat irritation.

Prepd from acetophenone

Alkylation of benzene with ethylene is the source of nearly all ethylbenzene. For several decades most alkylation plants utilized dissolved Lewis acids, in most cases aluminum chloride, to catalyze the reaction in the liquid phase. About 40% of worldwide ethylbenzene production still utilizes variations on this method. Although the aluminum chloride route generally provides competitive economics, disposal of the resulting waste streams has become increasingly costly. In addition, this route is susceptible to severe corrosion of equipment and piping.