Editing Styrene (section)

===Other industrial routes===
==== Pyrolysis gasoline extraction ====
Extraction from [[pyrolysis gasoline]] is performed on a limited scale.<ref name="ullstyrene"/>

==== From toluene and methanol ====
Styrene can be produced from [[toluene]] and [[methanol]], which are cheaper raw materials than those in the conventional process. This process has suffered from low selectivity associated with the competing decomposition of methanol.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Yashima |first1=Tatsuaki |last2=Sato |first2=Keiichi |last3=Hayasaka |first3=Tomoki |last4=Hara |first4=Nobuyoshi |year=1972 |title=Alkylation on synthetic zeolites: III. Alkylation of toluene with methanol and formaldehyde on alkali cation exchanged zeolites |journal=Journal of Catalysis |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=303–312 |doi=10.1016/0021-9517(72)90088-7}}</ref> Exelus Inc. claims to have developed this process with commercially viable selectivities, at 400–425&nbsp;°C and atmospheric pressure, by forcing these components through a proprietary [[zeolitic]] catalyst. It is reported<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icis.com/Articles/2008/01/21/9093889/new-process-may-rescue-styrenics-industry.html |title=Welcome to ICIS |website=www.icis.com |access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> that an approximately 9:1 mixture of styrene and ethylbenzene is obtained, with a total styrene yield of over 60%.<ref>Stephen K. Ritter, Chemical & Engineering News, 19 March 2007, p.46.</ref>

====From benzene and ethane====
Another route to styrene involves the reaction of benzene and [[ethane]]. This process is being developed by Snamprogetti and Dow. Ethane, along with ethylbenzene, is fed to a dehydrogenation reactor with a catalyst capable of simultaneously producing styrene and ethylene. The dehydrogenation effluent is cooled and separated and the ethylene stream is recycled to the alkylation unit. The process attempts to overcome previous shortcomings in earlier attempts to develop production of styrene from ethane and benzene, such as inefficient recovery of aromatics, production of high levels of heavies and tars, and inefficient separation of [[hydrogen]] and ethane. Development of the process is ongoing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chemsystems.com/reports/search/docs/toc/0708_4_toc.pdf |title=CHEMSYSTEMS.COM |website=www.chemsystems.com |access-date=1 May 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708142010/http://www.chemsystems.com/reports/search/docs/toc/0708_4_toc.pdf |archive-date=8 July 2011}}</ref>