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Ethylbenzene is ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3$, a benzene ring carrying an ethyl substituent. It shares the formula ${\mathrm{C}}_8{\mathrm{H}}_{10}$ with the xylene isomers but has different connectivity.

Conversion of its side chain to a vinyl group gives styrene, connecting a simple aromatic hydrocarbon with an important polymer starting material. Its benzylic carbon also has reactivity distinct from the ring itself.

In ethylbenzene, the good solvent makes effective segment repulsions swell the coil. With the Flory approximation,