Benzene
Molar mass: 78.11 g/mol · Class: Aromatic hydrocarbon
Elements: carbon, hydrogen
Structure
Six carbons form a flat hexagon with one hydrogen on each, and the six pi electrons are delocalized in a ring above and below the plane. This delocalization makes benzene unusually stable for an unsaturated compound.
Properties
Colorless liquid with a sweet smell
Highly flammable
Unusually stable due to aromatic delocalization
Known human carcinogen
Applications
Feedstock for plastics, nylon, and detergents
Solvent in specialized industrial processes
Starting material for countless aromatic compounds
CARCINOGEN: do not handle without proper training, ventilation, and protective equipment. Avoid all unnecessary exposure; it is absorbed through skin and lungs. Never use as a casual solvent.
Data source: IUPAC standard atomic weights 2021; molar mass computed from C6H6