High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Styrene, also known as vinyl benzene and phenyl ethene, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5CH=CH2. This derivative of benzene is a colorless oily liquid that evaporates easily and has a sweet smell, although high concentrations confer a less pleasant odor. Styrene is the precursor to polystyrene and several copolymers. Approximately 6.8 million tons (15 billion pounds) are produced annually.