Ethylbenzene
The ethyl-substituted aromatic supplied by Chelora Chemicals — almost entirely a single-purpose feedstock, converted by catalytic dehydrogenation into styrene monomer for the polystyrene, SBR and ABS industries — exported from Indonesia in drums or ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Ethylbenzene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as a single-purpose styrene feedstock, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Ethylbenzene is a benzene ring carrying a single ethyl substituent. Structurally it is a close cousin of the xylenes — it shares their C8H10 formula's molecular weight class and boils in the same narrow range, so it is always present as a minor component of the mixed C8 aromatic stream — but almost the entire world production of ethylbenzene is made on purpose, by direct alkylation, rather than separated from that stream.
At room temperature it is a colourless, highly flammable liquid with a gasoline-like aromatic odour, immiscible with water but miscible with most organic solvents. Its chemistry is dominated by one reaction above all others: catalytic dehydrogenation of the ethyl side chain to a vinyl group, which is essentially the entire reason ethylbenzene is manufactured at industrial scale.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Ethylbenzene's use is overwhelmingly single-purpose: well over 99% of production is converted directly into styrene monomer by catalytic dehydrogenation, making it, in practical terms, an intermediate step rather than a finished product. A small remaining share is used as a solvent or, in a parallel route, co-oxidised with propylene to make styrene and propylene oxide together (the POSM/SMPO process).
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Ethylbenzene in technical grade (≈99.5% assay) for general solvent use, and styrene grade (99.9%+, tightly controlled for sulfur and other dehydrogenation-catalyst poisons) for styrene monomer manufacture. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Ethylbenzene is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Ethylbenzene is manufactured by the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with ethylene: benzene + C₂H₄ → C₆H₅C₂H₅, run in either the liquid or vapour phase over a zeolite catalyst (modern plants predominantly use vapour-phase zeolite processes such as the Mobil-Badger process). The reaction is typically run with excess benzene to limit over-alkylation to diethylbenzene, which is separated and recycled back to extinction by transalkylation with fresh benzene.
Why on-purpose alkylation dominates over separation
Because ethylbenzene makes up only a small fraction of the mixed C8 aromatic stream and boils almost identically to para-xylene, separating it out would be both low-yielding and technically difficult; direct alkylation of benzene with ethylene, a widely available petrochemical olefin, is far more efficient and is why essentially all commercial ethylbenzene is made this way rather than recovered from reformate or pygas.
Industries and processes that use it
Ethylbenzene is consumed almost entirely by styrene monomer manufacture, with a small remaining share used as a solvent. The field below accounts for the overwhelming majority of the demand we see through our export desk.
Styrene Monomer Feedstock
Catalytically dehydrogenated to styrene monomer, the dominant, near-exclusive industrial use of ethylbenzene worldwide.
Propylene Oxide Co-Product Route (POSM/SMPO)
Used, via its hydroperoxide, in the alternative co-production route that yields both styrene monomer and propylene oxide.
Industrial Solvent
Used in a small remaining share as a gasoline-like aromatic solvent in select industrial formulations.
Polystyrene & SBR Chain
Supplies, through styrene monomer, the feedstock for polystyrene, ABS, SAN resins and styrene-butadiene rubber.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The ethyl side chain's ability to lose hydrogen and form a vinyl group governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Ethylbenzene is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Catalytic Dehydrogenation (to Styrene)
The ethyl side chain loses hydrogen over an iron-oxide catalyst in the presence of steam at high temperature, giving styrene monomer directly: C₆H₅C₂H₅ → C₆H₅CH=CH₂ + H₂.
Oxidation to Ethylbenzene Hydroperoxide
In the co-product route, ethylbenzene is first air-oxidised to its hydroperoxide, which then epoxidises propylene to propylene oxide while being reduced toward styrene.
Friedel-Crafts Alkylation (Upstream)
Benzene and ethylene combine over an acid or zeolite catalyst to form ethylbenzene itself, the first step in the whole chain.
Transalkylation of Diethylbenzene
Polyalkylated by-product diethylbenzene is reacted with fresh benzene to redistribute ethyl groups and recover additional ethylbenzene.
Ethylbenzene against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Ethylbenzene for styrene manufacture or solvent use often need the downstream monomer or a related aromatic. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethylbenzene | 100-41-4 | Alkylbenzene (C8) | The product on this page — almost entirely a single-purpose styrene monomer feedstock. |
| Styrene Monomer | 100-42-5 | Vinyl aromatic monomer | The direct downstream dehydrogenation product — see its product page. |
| Mixed Xylenes | 1330-20-7 | C8 aromatic isomer blend | A related, co-boiling C8 aromatic stream — see its product page. |
| Cumene | 98-82-8 | Alkylbenzene (C9) | A related benzene alkylate made by an analogous Friedel-Crafts route — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Ethylbenzene.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
Harmful if inhaled.
May cause organ damage (hearing organs) through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame; ground and bond containers during transfer given the low flash point.
Never siphon by mouth or induce vomiting if swallowed — aspiration into the lungs is a serious hazard.
Danger — GHS02 flammable, GHS07 harmful and GHS08 health-hazard pictograms apply.
This compound is a highly flammable liquid that may be fatal if swallowed and enters the airways, is harmful if inhaled, and may cause organ damage through prolonged or repeated exposure. It must be handled with chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection, suitable respiratory protection and kept well away from heat and open flame. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources, open flame and strong oxidizing agents, in tightly closed original packaging. Ground and bond all equipment during bulk transfer given the low flash point. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, sulfur content and colour before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Ethylbenzene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Ethylbenzene shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Ethylbenzene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Ethylbenzene?+
03How is Ethylbenzene made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Ethylbenzene hazardous?+
06Why is almost all ethylbenzene made by alkylation rather than separated from xylenes?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply styrene monomer as well?+
Need Ethylbenzene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.