1. n. [Drilling Fluids]
The compound C6H5-HC=CH2, also known as styrolene, cinnamene and phenethylene. The phenyl radical, C6H5-, replaces one of the hydrogen atoms on ethylene. Styrene polymers are analogous to vinyl polymers in structure except that phenyl radicals replace the corresponding H atom. (Due to larger size of the phenyl radical as compared to the H atom, not all corresponding polymers are possible.) A phenyl radical has the benzene ring structure-missing one H-with alternating double bonds between adjacent carbons. It is an aromatic group that is nonionic.
See related terms: aromatic hydrocarbon, sulfonated polystyrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, vinyl polymer
