2phenylpropene

2phenylpropene, also known as alpha-methylstyrene or AMS, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C9H10. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature with a characteristic sweet odor. Its structure consists of a benzene ring attached to a propene group, with the double bond in the propene chain. This makes it an unsaturated aromatic hydrocarbon.

2phenylpropene is an isomer of styrene. It is produced industrially as a byproduct of the cumene process, which is used to manufacture phenol and acetone. While styrene is a major monomer for plastics, AMS is generally not polymerized on its own due to its tendency to form less stable polymers. However, it can be used as a comonomer in the production of certain plastics and resins, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), where it can modify properties like heat resistance and impact strength. It also finds application in the synthesis of various fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The compound is flammable and should be handled with appropriate safety precautions. It can undergo polymerization under certain conditions, particularly in the presence of heat or catalysts. Its reactivity stems from the presence of the double bond and the phenyl group.