Styrene, also known as
ethenylbenzene,
vinylbenzene, and
phenylethene, is an
organic compound with the
chemical formula C
6H
5CH=CH
2. This derivative of
benzene is a colorless oily
liquid that evaporates easily and has a sweet smell, although high concentrations have a less pleasant odor. Styrene is the precursor to
polystyrene and several copolymers. Approximately 25 million tonnes (55 billion pounds) of styrene were produced in 2010.