ethylbenzene

American  

[eth-uhl-ben-zeen, -ben-zeen] / ˌɛθ əlˈbɛn zin, -bɛnˈzin /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless liquid, C 8 H 10 , used chiefly as an intermediate in the manufacture of styrene and as a solvent and diluent for paints and varnishes.

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Etymology

Origin of ethylbenzene

First recorded in 1870–75; ethyl + benzene

Example Sentences

Wells, storage tanks and other equipment release a mix of particularly hazardous petroleum-based gases known as BTEX, for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2023

The agency noted Tesla’s use of toxic chemicals in its paint shop — formaldehyde, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, and xylene, “known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious side effects.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2022

Water samples taken for the study showed that irrigation wells in the agribusiness-heavy county contained benzene, ethylbenzene and xylenes.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2020

A local doctor found her son in the 79th to 85th percentile for three of them — benzene, ethylbenzene and o-xylene — and her story was picked up by local news media.

From New York Times • Oct. 23, 2018

Toluene treated with fuming sulphuric acid first yields o- and p-sulphonic acids, finally o- and p-disulphonic acids, ethylbenzene at the boiling point p-ethylbenzene-sulphonic acid.

From Synthetic Tannins by Grasser, Georg