Main-Product

Ethylbenzene is an organic compound with the formula C₆H₅CH₂CH₃. It is a highly flammable, colorless liquid with an odor similar to that of gasoline. This monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon is an important intermediate in the production of Styrene^[1].

Ethylbenzene is almost exclusively (> 99%) used as an intermediate for the manufacture of styrene monomer. Styrene production, which uses ethylbenzene as a starting material, consumes approximately 50% of the world's benzene production. Less than 1% of the ethylbenzene produced is used as a paint solvent or as an intermediate for the production of diethylbenzene and acetophenone. The ethylbenzene present in recovered mixed xylenes is largely converted to xylenes or benzene^[2].

Ethylbenzene has been added to motor and aviation fuels because of its anti-knock properties. Estimates of ethylbenzene in gasoline have ranged from < 1–2.7%^[2].

Ethylbenzene is also used as a negative photoresist solvent in the semiconductor industry and as a general solvent and diluent^[2].

Ethylbenzene is also present in commercial mixed xylenes at levels up to 25%, and, as such, is present in many paints and lacquers, printing inks, insecticides and solvents in the rubber and chemical manufacturing industriest^[2].

References

1. Wikipedia, Ethylbenzene.
2. National Library of Medicine, IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 77 Some Industrial Chemicals, Ethylbenzene.