Benzene is an organic compound composed of 6 carbon atoms connected together to form a planar ring-like chemical structure. Each carbon atom has one hydrogen atom attached to it. It was first isolated and identified by Michael Faraday in 1825. It is widely used in the production of polystyrene.
| IUPAC Name | Benzene |
| Chemical formula | C6H6 |
| Molecular Weight | 78.11 |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Sweet Aromatic |
| Solubility | Soluble in acetone, acetic acid, alcohol, diethyl ether |
| Hazard | Carcinogen(exposure causes leukemia), highly flammable, highly toxic. |
Facts about Benzene
- Benzene evaporates quickly in air and its vapor is heavier than the air.
- It is a natural constituent of crude oil and is classed as an aromatic hydrocarbon.
- It is used as a solvent in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
- One of the major type of exposure to benzene is cigaraette smoke.
- Benzene is a carcinogenic agent.
- A low level of benzene is detected in fruits, nuts, dairy products and vegetables, fish.
Structure of benzene:
All the six carbon-carbon bonds in benzene are of the same length but shorter than the one single bond. Benzene can be considered similar to cyclohexane, but benzene has a ring of delocalized electrons. Plus, benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon due to the presence of continuous pi-bonds.
Al the C-C bonds in a benzene ring are of the same length, which is longer than a regular double bond but shorter than a regular single bond.
Benzene derivatives:
One or more hydrogen atoms of the benzene ring can be substituted by a functional group giving rise to a substituted derivative. The rings can also be fused as in the case of naphthalene. A complete fusion of rings gives rise to graphite (an allotrope of carbon). Examples of the derivatives include phenol, toluene, aniline, anisole, graphite, naphthalene, styrene, benzoic acid.
How benzene is produced by industries?
Four chemical Processes make up the benzene from industries
- Catalytic reforming
- Toluene hydrodealkylation
- Toluene disproportionation
- Steam cracking.
Uses:
Benzene is used mainly as a starting material to produce other chemicals and polymers. The derivatives of benzene find a wide variety of applications.
Other applications of benzene include lubricating, rubbers, dyes, drugs, pesticides, and explosives.
Health effects:
Benzene is a carinogen. Exposure to benzene can cause drowsiness and unconsciousness. For more details, you can read https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp
See Also:
Benzyl alcohol
5 Difference between allotropes and isomers
12 Difference between methanol and ethanol
10 Difference between corrosion and rusting
