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Glite Dictionary
phenylethylene

phenylethylene

9.1
A colorless oily liquid used to make polystyrene plastic, also called styrene
  • noun
  • /ˌfɛnəlˈɛθɪˌliːn/
  • Specialized
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  • The production of polystyrene requires a steady supply of phenylethylene.

Examples

  • In chemical laboratories, phenylethylene is often stored in airtight containers to prevent evaporation.

  • Exposure to phenylethylene vapors should be limited in industrial environments.

  • The chemical phenylethylene is essential in producing polystyrene.

  • Many manufacturers use phenylethylenes to create various plastics.

  • In chemical manufacturing, a large quantity of phenylethylene is needed to produce high-quality polystyrene.

  • Safety measures are crucial when handling phenylethylene, as its vapors can be hazardous in poorly ventilated areas.

  • The versatility of phenylethylene makes it a key component in the production of numerous plastic products.

Synonyms

styrene
vsphenylethylene
  • Specialized
3 8.1

A clear oily liquid used to make polystyrene and other plastics

is the same substance but called by its alternative systematic name
vinylbenzene
vsphenylethylene
  • Specialized
9.9

A clear oily liquid people use to make plastics like polystyrene

is the same monomer but named differently in other contexts
cinnamene
vsphenylethylene
  • Specialized
9.9

A colorless oily liquid used to make polystyrene plastic

is the same chemical but varies in naming or technical label

Surface Forms

phenylethylene singular
phenylethylenes plural

Morphology

phenylethylene = phenyl + ethylene (opaque) = phenyl + ethylene

Although the form is compositional (phenyl + ethylene) this is a specialised chemical name whose components are technical and not informative to average B1 learners.

Etymology

Phenylethylene breaks into phenyl and ethylene, where phenyl means a 'benzene ring', a ring of carbon atoms, and ethylene means a 'two-carbon piece' with a double bond. So, the name tells you the molecule is a benzene ring attached to a small two-carbon part, which helps explain why it is the oily building block used to make polystyrene and is also called styrene.