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Benzene

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Identification
Molecular formula
C6H6
CAS number
71-43-2
IUPAC name
benzene
State
State

At room temperature, benzene is in a liquid state. Despite being a liquid, it is highly volatile, allowing it to evaporate quickly into a gas. It is one of the simplest aromatic hydrocarbons and serves as an essential industrial solvent and precursor in the production of other chemicals.

Melting point (Celsius)
5.50
Melting point (Kelvin)
278.65
Boiling point (Celsius)
80.10
Boiling point (Kelvin)
353.25
General information
Molecular weight
78.11g/mol
Molar mass
78.1130g/mol
Density
0.8765g/cm3
Appearence

Benzene is a colorless and highly flammable liquid with a sweet smell. It is an aromatic hydrocarbon and is known for its distinctive pleasant odor, often associated with the smell of gasoline due to similar compounds being present in both substances.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Benzene (C6H6)

Benzene, a simple aromatic hydrocarbon, exhibits interesting solubility characteristics. Its hydrocarbons structure plays a significant role in its behavior in various solvents:

  • Non-polar Solvents: Benzene is highly soluble in non-polar solvents such as hexane or toluene due to its similar non-polar nature.
  • Polar Solvents: In contrast, benzene has very low solubility in polar solvents like water, making it effectively insoluble. This is primarily because polar solvents cannot interact effectively with the non-polar benzene molecules.
  • Concentration: At room temperature, the solubility of benzene in water is approximately 0.18 g/100 mL, reinforcing its non-polar characteristics.

In summary, benzene's solubility behavior exemplifies the principle of "like dissolves like". Its high compatibility with non-polar solvents, combined with its limitation in polar environments, illustrates the fascinating aspect of solubility in chemistry.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts about Benzene

Benzene, a fundamental organic compound, is renowned for its unique structure and properties. Here are some intriguing aspects of this aromatic hydrocarbon:

  • Structural Significance: Benzene's molecular structure features a six-membered carbon ring with alternating double bonds, often represented using a hexagon with a circle inside, indicating resonance. This resonance is crucial as it lends benzene its stability.
  • Historical Importance: Discovered by Michael Faraday in 1825, it has played a pivotal role in the development of organic chemistry and industrial applications, paving the way for numerous synthetic processes.
  • Common Applications: Benzene serves as a precursor in the synthesis of various chemicals, including:
    • Aniline (used in dyes)
    • Styrene (for polystyrene plastics)
    • Cyclohexane (for nylon production)
  • Health Concerns: Despite its utility, benzene is recognized as a carcinogen. Prolonged exposure can have serious health implications, making safety precautions essential in industrial settings.
  • Solvent Properties: Benzene's non-polarity and ability to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds make it a superior solvent, though its usage has decreased due to toxicity.

In the words of chemist August Kekulé, who famously envisioned the structure of benzene, the compound is encapsulated in the phrase, "A snake bites its own tail." This imagery not only represents its circular structure but also its enduring presence in the world of chemistry.

Whether for its remarkable structure or its historical significance, benzene continues to be a topic of interest in both academic and industrial chemistry.

Synonyms
benzene
benzol
71-43-2
Cyclohexatriene
benzole
Pyrobenzole
Benzine
Benzen
Coal naphtha
Pyrobenzol
Mineral naphtha
Phene
Phenyl hydride
Benzolene
Bicarburet of hydrogen
Motor benzol
Benzeen
Benzin
Benzolo
Fenzen
[6]Annulene
Nitration benzene
(6)Annulene
Benzol 90
NCI-C55276
Benzine (Obs.)
Rcra waste number U019
Benzin (Obs.)
Benzinum
Caswell No. 077
Benzene, pure
1,3,5-cyclohexatriene
CCRIS 70
HSDB 35
NSC 67315
UN 1114
CHEBI:16716
EINECS 200-753-7
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 008801
DTXSID3039242
AI3-00808
UNII-J64922108F
BENZENE (BENZOL)
NSC-67315
UN1114
DTXCID20135
CHEMBL277500
J64922108F
EC 200-753-7
NSC67315
MFCD00003009
54682-86-9
BENZENE (IARC)
BENZENE [IARC]
BENZENE (MART.)
BENZENE [MART.]
BENZENE (USP-RS)
BENZENE [USP-RS]
phenylmanganese iodide
Benzeen [Dutch]
Benzen [Polish]
Fenzen [Czech]
Benzolo [Italian]
BNZ
Benzene 100 microg/mL in Methanol
Benzene, ACS reagent, >=99.0%
BENZENE (1,3,5-D3)
62485-97-6
benzene,iodomanganese(1+)
Benzolum
Benzene (including benzene from gasoline)
p-benzene
benzene-
C6H6
26181-88-4
1hyz
1swi
benzin /obsolete/
1,4-phenylene
benzine /obsolete/
[6]-annulene
Benzene ACS Grade
Benzene HPLC grade
Benzene, for HPLC
Caswell no 077
{[6]Annulene}
MINERAL NAPHTA
Ph-H
Phenyl; Phenyl Radical
2z9g
4i7j
HEADACHE INSOMNIA
BENZENE [VANDF]
BENZINUM [HPUS]
Benzene + aniline combo
BENZENE [HSDB]
BENZENE [MI]
Benzene, labeled with carbon-14 and tritium
WLN: RH
BENZENE [WHO-DD]
22 - BTEX in Soil
Epitope ID:116867
Benzene, purification grade
Benzene, analytical standard
5 - VOCs
Benzene, LR, >=99%
ghl.PD_Mitscher_leg0.503
Benzene, anhydrous, 99.8%
Benzene, AR, >=99.5%
34J - WFD J
3,4-DNH
1l83
220l
223l
7 - VOCs (Perkin Elmer tubes)
Benzene 10 microg/mL in Methanol
DTXSID101337601
DTXSID301037374
trans-N-Methylphenylcyclopropylamine
BCP26158
Benzene 20 microg/mL in Triacetin
Benzene, for HPLC, >=99.8%
Benzene, for HPLC, >=99.9%
Tox21_202487
BDBM50167939
BM 613
MSK001098
STL264205
Benzene 5000 microg/mL in Methanol
Benzene, purum, >=99.0% (GC)
18C - Benzenes, Toluene and Xylenes
AKOS008967253
Benzene, SAJ first grade, >=99.0%
CAS-71-43-2
USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 008801
ACETONE IMPURITY C [EP IMPURITY]
Benzene [UN1114] [Flammable liquid]
Benzene, JIS special grade, >=99.5%
erythro-Phenyl-2-piperidyl-carbinol,(-)
NCGC00090744-01
NCGC00090744-02
NCGC00163890-01
NCGC00163890-02
NCGC00260036-01
trans-N, N-Dimethylphenylcyclopropylamine
Cc-34,(+/-)
RNG
12A. - VOCs - Carbopack X sorbent tubes
1ST001098
Benzene Content (Nominal: 0.62% Volume)
DS-002542
B0020
NS00009783
Q0038
Q2270
Benzene 30 microg/mL in N,N-Dimethylacetamide
Benzene, ACS spectrophotometric grade, >=99%
C01407
Benzene, ReagentPlus(R), thiophene free, >=99%
InChI=1/C6H6/c1-2-4-6-5-3-1/h1-6
12 - VOCs - Tenax TA sorbent tubes (Perkin Elmer)
Benzene, puriss. p.a., Reag. Ph. Eur., >=99.7%
Q26841227
BIPERIDEN HYDROCHLORIDE IMPURITY F [EP IMPURITY]
Benzene, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
Benzene, puriss., absolute, over molecular sieve (H2O <=0.005%), >=99.5% (GC)
200-753-7
25053-22-9
3355-34-8