C6H5CHCHR

C6H5CHCHR represents a class of organic compounds known as styrenes, specifically substituted styrenes where an additional alkyl group is attached to the vinyl carbon. The C6H5 group is a phenyl ring, and the CHCHR part indicates a vinyl group with one hydrogen and one additional substituent (R). The R group can be any alkyl or aryl group, leading to a variety of possible compounds.

These compounds are unsaturated hydrocarbons due to the presence of the double bond in the vinyl group. This double bond is reactive and participates in various chemical reactions, most notably polymerization. Depending on the nature of the R group, substituted styrenes can undergo addition polymerization to form polymers with diverse properties. For instance, if R is a methyl group, the compound is alpha-methylstyrene, a known monomer.

Substituted styrenes are often synthesized through dehydration reactions of corresponding alcohols or by dehydrohalogenation of alkyl halides. Their physical and chemical properties are influenced by the substituent R. They typically exist as liquids and are often used as intermediates in the synthesis of plastics, resins, and other specialty chemicals. The reactivity of the double bond also makes them susceptible to oxidation and addition reactions.