Structure of Benzene


Introduction

Benzene is considered a parent of different “aromatic compounds”. Due to the presence of odour, benzene can be identified quickly. The production of the benzene compound in the chemistry lab is possible by the application of heat to “benzoic acid and lime”. Various types of chemicals are phenol, polystyrene, and detergent, benzene are used.

Information regarding Benzene

Benzene is considered one of the most significant “organic compounds” that contains the formula of “$\mathrm{C_{6}H_{6}}$”. Benzene has a strong relationship with the “aromatic hydrocarbons” as it has a different odour. Many products are produced from benzene and all products are of different odour. Benzene is considered a toxic material that can form different health hazards. The application of Benzene can form different “natural constitutes of crude oil”.

Overall “six p-orbital electrons” can construct the stabilised “electron clouds” beyond and below the “aromatic ring”. The carbon atom is agreed in a “six-membered ring” and is connected to exclusively one “atom of Hydrogen”. The structure of benzene contains the C- C bond that has an angle of 120°.

“Characteristics of Benzene”

The followings are the “characteristics of Benzene” −

  • Benzene is extracted from petroleum

  • It is a colourless liquid

  • The melting point of benzene is 5.5°C

  • It is applied in the manufacturing process of “plastics, synthetic, rubber and dyes, and medicines”.

  • Benzene has a “strong aromatic substance”.

History of Benzene

“Michael Faraday” explored benzene for the first time in 1825 by illuminating gas. Different chemists explored it later by processing heat into “benzoic acid and lime”. Hofmann, a German chemist explored the availability of an isolated version of benzene in “coal tar”. Since, its discovery, it is used in different industries to produce different other materials.

“Physical properties of Benzene”

The followings are the “physical properties of benzene” −

  • Benzene is a colourless liquid that contains a different odour

  • It is soluble in organic and insoluble water

  • Benzene is a flammable material that can be volatile if contracts to fire

  • The boiling point of benzene is 80.5°C.

  • It displays resonance

  • “Benzene has a density of 0.87g cm3”

  • It is “lighter than water”

“Chemical properties of Benzene”

The followings are the “chemical properties of benzene”:

  • Nitration − “Benzene reacts with nitric acid” during the existence of “sulphuric acid at 55°C”. The reaction can construct nitrobenzene.

  • Sulphonation − The application of heat to benzene with the existence of the “sulphuric acid”, the reaction will produce “benzene sulfonic acid”.

  • Halogenation − The reaction of benzene can form aryl halide in the presence of “Lewis acid”.

  • Friedel Craft’s Alkylation Reaction − The reaction is between benzene and “alkyl halide” with the existence of “Lewis acid can form aluminium chloride”.

Preparation of Benzene

Benzenes can be produced from three different materials, such as −

  • Alkynes − A heated iron tube at a temperature of 873K applies Ethyne and it can go via the polymerization that constructs benzene as a result.

  • “Decarboxylation of aromatic acids” − The application of heat to “sodium benzoate” with the presence of the “sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide” can deliver benzene as the result of the reaction.

  • Phenol − The application of heat to zinc and phenol can deliver benzene as the result of the reaction.

Application of Benzene

“Coal and oil” are significant industries that are useful for different applications in the production levels. The followings are the applications of benzene −

  • Benzene is used for the phenol production

  • It is applied to the manufacturing of “aniline and detergents also”.

  • The production of “nylon fibres” is another example of benzene use.

Health effects

The followings are the health effects of benzene −

  • Benzene becomes harmful if it interacts with the tissues from blood cells. The effect of benzene on the human body depends on long it is exposed.

  • Benzene is recognised as a toxic material that can cause “causes acute and chronic health issues”. Moreover, inhalation of benzene can cause irritation to the respiratory and eyes.

  • Direct contact between skin and benzene can cause skin itching and fissure.

  • Inhalation of benzene for a longer period can cause dizziness, nausea, and headache.

  • In the chemical labs, many workers use different types of chemicals. Many products are produced use of benzene to produce different materials that can cause several disorders like lung infections, leukaemia and other blood-related issues.

Some applications of precautions can save humans from the available health hazards in different places. Application of mask can save from inhalation of the vapours of benzenes. Additionally, lab coats can protect the human skin to get in contact with benzene.

Conclusion

Benzene has “six carbon atoms” that can form “a perfectly regular hexagon”. The determination of the “molecular weight and elemental analysis” has demonstrated that Benzene is a “positively unsaturated compound”. There are several applications of benzene. This is the reason for considering it as a significant chemical compound in chemistry. Several resources are available to form benzene in natural and chemical procedures. Benzene has some significant applications in different domains and the applications have become enlarged due to its aromatic nature.

FAQs

1. How benzene is produced?

Benzene can be produced by both natural and chemical formulations. A natural substance is produced from fire in forests and volcanoes as a natural procedure. Benzene can be developed in chemistry laboratories by the application of heat to the “benzoic acid and lime”. Phenol is a chemical substance that benzene can produce from that.

2. What are the different industries where benzene is used?

Benzene is used in the different chemical industries and coal and oil is the primary one among several industries. Rubber, medical, synthetics, plastics, and detergent products are the industries where benzene is used.

3. What is the “molecular formula of benzene”?

“The molecular formula of Benzene according to chemistry is $\mathrm{C_{6}H_{6}}$".

Updated on: 04-Mar-2024
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