English

Noun

1. Any of three isomeric vinyl derivatives of benzene that are used to make copolymers with styrene

Divinylbenzene consists of a benzene ring bonded to two vinyl groups. It is related to styrene (vinylbenzene) by the addition of a second vinyl group. Divinylbenzene, as it is usually encountered, is a 2:1 mixture of m- and p-divinylbenzene, containing also the corresponding ethylvinylbenzene isomers. It is manufactured by the thermal dehydrogenation of isomeric diethylbenzenes. Under synthesis conditions, o-divinylbenzene converts to naphthalene and thus is not a component of the usual mixtures of DVB.

Applications

When reacted together with styrene, divinylbenzene can be used as a reactive monomer in polyester resins. Styrene and divinylbenzene react together to form the copolymer styrene-divinylbenzene, S-DVB or Sty-DVB. The resulting cross-linked polymer is mainly used for the production of ion exchange resin.

Nomenclature

See also: Arene substitution patterns Divinylbenzene can exist in the form of 3 structural isomers that differ with respect to the positioning of the vinyl groups.

• Ortho: variously known as 1,2-diethenylbenzene, 1,2-divinylbenzene, o-vinylstyrene, o-divinylbenzene
• Meta: known as 1,3-diethenylbenzene, 1,3-divinylbenzene, m-vinylstyrene, m-divinylbenzene
• Para: known as 1,4-diethenylbenzene, 1,4-divinylbenzene, p-vinylstyrene, p''-divinylbenzene.

These compounds are systematically called as diethenylbenzene, although this nomenclature is rarely encountered.

References