-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: (a) highly unsaturated (according to structure) (b) saturated (according to reactions) – Nature of reactions: (a) Substitution reactions (b)Addition reactions (under special conditions) – Benzene was first isolated by Faraday. – Hoffman was the first scientist who separated benzene from coal tar.
