An Introduction To Benzene

Introduction

• Molecular formula = C6H6
• Empirical formula = CH
• Molecular mass = 78
• Empirical formula mass = 13
• Percentage of carbon = 93.6%
• Percentage of hydrogen = 6.4%

• Structural formula =

• It is an aromatic hydrocarbon.

• Physical state = liquid at room temperature.

• Melting point = 5.5oC

• Boiling point = 80oC

• It is highly inflammable.

• Benzene burns with smoke due to high percentage of carbon.

• It is insoluble in water.

• It is soluble in organic solvents.

• Benzene dissolves fats, sulphur, iodine and resins.

• Nature:

1. highly unsaturated (according to structure)
2. saturated (according to reactions)

• Nature of reactions:

1. Substitution reactions
2. Addition reactions (under special conditions)

• Benzene was first isolated by Faraday.
• Hoffman was the first scientist who separated benzene from coal tar.