Halostyrenes

Halostyrenes are a class of organic compounds characterized by a styrene molecule where one or more hydrogen atoms on the vinyl group or the phenyl ring have been replaced by halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. The simplest examples are halostyrenes where a halogen atom is directly attached to the phenyl ring, such as chlorostyrene or bromostyrene. If the halogen is on the vinyl group, the compound is typically referred to as a haloethylbenzene. The position of the halogen on the phenyl ring (ortho, meta, or para) also leads to different isomers with distinct properties.

These compounds find applications in polymer chemistry. For instance, halostyrenes can be polymerized or copolymerized to create materials with modified properties compared to polystyrene. The presence of halogens can influence the polymer's flammability, thermal stability, and refractive index. For example, bromostyrene has been used as a comonomer to introduce flame-retardant properties into polymers. In some cases, halostyrenes are used as intermediates in the synthesis of other organic chemicals. Their reactivity is influenced by both the styrene moiety and the nature and position of the halogen substituent.