Chemical properties of styrene

　　Styrene is a liquid at room temperature, colorless, with a pungent odor, styrene is flammable, boiling point 145.2 degrees Celsius, freezing point of -30.6 degrees Celsius, specific gravity 0.906, styrene is insoluble in water, if at 25 degrees Celsius, styrene solubility is only 0.066%. Styrene can be mixed with ether, methyl ferment, carbon disulfide, acetone, benzene, toluene and tetra-ironic carbon in any proportion. Styrene is a good solvent for natural rubber, synthetic rubber and many organic compounds. Styrene is toxic and can cause poisoning if the human body inhales too much styrene vapor. The allowable concentration of styrene in the air is 0.1mg/L. Styrene vapor and air will form an explosive mixture.

　　Styrene is an aromatic hydrocarbon containing unsaturated side chains. The chemical formula of styrene is C8H8 and the structural formula of styrene is

　　From the structural formula of styrene, we can see that styrene contains double bonds, which determines the chemical nature of styrene is very active, easy to oxidation reaction, polymerization reaction and copolymerization reaction. Polymerization occurs at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius, and slow polymerization at room temperature. Styrene is easy to be oxidized and become aldehydes and ketones when exposed to air. Therefore, styrene monomer in storage and transportation must be careful to seal with inert gas (nitrogen), not to make contact with the air, while adding a polymerization inhibitor.