Structure of Benzene is a closed ring with an alternate single and double bond. Benzene is a naturally occurring substance produced by volcanoes and forest fires and is the simplest organic, aromatic hydrocarbon. The word Benzene is historically derived from gum benzoin, also known as ‘Benjamin’. Gum Benzoin is known as aromatic benzoin. English scientist Michael Faraday discovered benzene in illuminating gas. Mitscherlich, a German chemist, gave it the name benzene in 1833.

In this article, let’s understand more about benzene’s definition, and structure of benzene in detail such as the Lewis Structure of Benzene, Kekule structure of Benzene, Electron dot structure of Benzene, Ring Structure of Benzene and its properties in detail.

What is Benzene?

Benzene is an organic compound with the chemical formula of C6H6. It is also considered a parent compound of the various aromatic compounds. The structure of benzene is a colorless, flammable, and highly aromatic liquid with a sweet odor. In benzene, there are two carbon atoms in each carbon atom and one hydrogen atom. The C-C bonds in benzene represent the combination of single and double bonds in resonance structures of benzene.

Benzene Formula

Benzene Chemical Formula is C₆H₆

Molecular Weight of Benzene

Benzene Molecular Weight is 78 u

Molecular Weight of Benzene is calculated as follows:

Molecular Weight of Carbon is 12 u

Molecular weight of Hydrogen is 1 u

Molecular Formula of Benzene us C₆H₆

Hence, Molecular Weight of Benzene is 12 × 6 + 1 × 6 = 78 u

Structure of Benzene

Structure of benzene is an closed ring like structure with alternate single and double bond. Benzene has chemical formula of C₆H₆. Each carbon in benzene is arranged in a six-membered ring and is bonded only to have one hydrogen atom. There are two types of bonds present in Benzene namely sigma and pi bonds. The double bond among carbon atoms consist of one sigma and one pi bonds and between carbon and hydrogen atom there is single bond which indicates the presence of sigma bond. Hence, in total there are 12 sigma bonds and 3 pi bonds in Benzene.

Benzene Structure

The structure of Benzene is added in the image added below,

Structure of Benzene

Learn about Aromatic Compounds

Let’s Learn about the different types of structure of Benzene

Lewis Structure of Benzene

Lewis structure of benzene (C₆H₆) is considered as cyclic structure with electron sharing among carbon atoms in circular manner. In benzene, there are present two carbon atoms in each carbon atom and one hydrogen atom. Here is a diagram representing the lewis structure of benzene:

Lewis Structure of Benzene

Kekule Structure of Benzene

Kekule structure of benzene depicts the ring structure with alternating single and double bonds. It is also the first proposed structure of benzene. It has one monoderative (C₆H₅X), where X is any functional group. This structure of benzene has a very simple representation of the actual structure of benzene. Here’s a diagram representing the same:

Kekule structures of benzene

Related Article: Difference between molecules and compounds

Ring Structure of Benzene

The ring structure of benzene is known as a planar six-membered ring of carbon atoms, with each carbon atom bonded to two other carbon atoms. However, the representation of ring structure of benzene is not entirely accurate due to the electrons in the benzene ring are delocalized. Here’s a diagram:

Ring Structure of Benzene

Electron Dot Structure of Benzene

The electron dot structure of benzene (C₆H₆) is considered as cyclic structure with the alternating single and double bonds with a declocalized electron cloud above and below the ring. Benzene’s six carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms share valence electrons to form four single bonds and two double bonds. The six pi electrons from the double bonds are delocalized around the ring. Here’s a representation in a diagram:

Electron Dot Structure of Benzene

History of Benzene

Benzene was first discovered by Michael Faraday in the year 1825 and in year 1834 a german scientist named Eihardt Mitscherlich produced Benzene in the laboratory. Also the Benzene was isolated by another german scientist A.W. Von Hofmann from coal tar.

Properties of Benzene

Here are the main properties of structure of Benzene compound:

• Structure of Benzene is an organic compound with the chemical formula of C6H6
• Structure of Benzene is colorless, flammable, and highly aromatic compound
• Structure of Benzene is a natural component of crude oil
• Structure of Benzene has a density of 0.87g cm-3 and is lighter than water
• Strucutre of Benzene has high melting point and moderate boiling point

Resonance of Benzene

When looking at the Benzene molecule, we can see that its structure can be represented by multiple equivalent Lewis structures, each with a different arrangement of double and single bonds. This phenomenon is known as the resonance of Benzene. Following are the key points of resonance hybrid structure of benzene:

• Resonance in Benzene involves delocalization of π electrons
• The stable distribution of electrons is achieved evenly throughout the hexagonal ring
• The structure of benzene is a hybrid of two resonance structures
• In benzene, each carbon-carbon bond is approximately equivalent to 1.5 bonds
• Resonance of benzene ensures the stability of uniform bond legths and explains the benzene’s unreactive nature and unique properties.

Resonance of Structure

Aromaticity of Benzene

Benzene is an aromatic compound and its aromaticity is a fundamental concept in organic chemistry. It is known as the aromatic compound as the C-C bonds formed in the ring are not exactly single or double, rather they are of intermediate length.

Aromatic compounds are divided into two categories based on rings: (Benzoides, containing one ring) and (Non-Benzoides, containing no benzene ring). For a ring to be aromatic it should have the following property as per Huckel ring,

• Planarity
• Complete delocalization of the π electrons in the ring
• 4n + 2π electrons as Benzene has 6π electrons which satisfies as the Huckel rule, where n is an integer.

Applications of Benzene

Benzene is a versitile organic compound applied in the various chemical industries such as in the manufacture of plastics, rubbers, lubricants, and more. However, Benzene is toxic and carcinogenic and that is why it has some non-industrial uses. Here are some applications of structure of Benzene:

• Benzene can be used as a solvent in nonpolar substances such as oils, fats, resins, etc. It also helps in degreasing of the metals and extracting natural products
• Benzene can be used as a precursor for chemicals such as styhrene, phenol, cyclohexane
• Benzene also work as a manufacturer of nylon fibres
• Benzene is helpful in the preparation of phenol
• Benzene is considered as a component of gasoline that contributes to the fuel’s high octane rating

Health Effects of Benzene

Various harmful effects of the Benzene are,

• It effects human blood cell and reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
• Contact of benzene with human skin makes it dry, itching and cracked.
• Inhalation of benzene causes Headaches, Dizziness, Nausea, and others.
• Long exposures of the benzene causes Leukemia.

Also, Check

• Nomenclature of Organic Compounds
• Functional Groups
• Purification of Organic Compounds

Sample Questions on Benzene

Question 1: What is benzene and how many c-c bonds does it contain?

Answer:

Benzene is an organic compound with the chemical formula of C6H6. Here’s a breakdown of the C-C bonds in benzene:

• 6 carbon atoms arranged in a hexagon ring
• Each carbon atom is bonded to three other atoms
• The remaining three bonds are to other carbon atoms within the ring

Hence, benzene has a total of ten C-C bonds.

Question 2: What are the health concerns associated with the use of benzene?

Answer:

Benzene has both acute and chronic health and safety concerns. For short-term exposure it may affect nervous system, respiration and skin and eye irritation. For long-term exposure it may cause blood disorders, reproductive effects, and neurological effects.

Question 3: How does the phenomenon of benzene relate to structure of benzene?

Answer:

Benzene is an aromatic compound and its aromaticity is a fundamental concept in organic chemistry. It is known as the aromatic compound as the C-C bonds formed in the ring are not exactly single or double, rather they are of intermediate length.

Aromatic compounds are divided into two categories based on rings: (Benzoides, containing one ring) and (Non-Benzoides, containing no benzene ring). For a ring to be aromatic it should have the following property as per Huckel ring,

• Planarity
• Complete delocalization of the π electrons in the ring
• 4n + 2π electrons as Benzene has 6π electrons which satisfies as the Huckel rule, where n is an integer.

FAQs on Benzene

1. What is Benzene used for?

Benzene is widely used in chemical industries. It is a natural constituent of crude oil. It’s foundation is helpful in making of dyes, platics, rubbers, synthetic fibres and more.

2. What is the Structural Formula of Benzene?

Sturctural Formula of Benzene is depicted as: C₆H₆

3. Is Benzene harmful to humans?

The department of health and human services has determined that benzene has a ability to cause cancer (carcinogen) in humans.

4. Why Benzene is called Queen of Chemicals?

Benzene is known as a queen of organic chemistry. It is a synthesiser and manufacturer of various chemicals.

5. Who discovered Benzene?

Benzene was first discovered by the English scientist Michael Faraday in 1825 in illuminating gas.

6. What are the Properties of Benzene?

• Structure of Benzene is an organic compound with the chemical formula of C6H6
• Structure of Benzene is colorless, flammable, and highly aromatic compound
• Structure of Benzene is a natural component of crude oil

7. How many Resonance Structure of Benzene are there?

There are two equivalent resonance structures of benzene.

8. How many Sigma and Pi Bonds are there in Benzene?

There are 12 sigma bonds and 3 pi bonds in benzene.

9. What is IUPAC name of Benzene?

The IUPAC name of Benzene is Cyclo-hex-1,3,5-triene.

10. What is the Shape of Benzene?

Benzene is a planar compound with Hexagonal Shape. Benzene is formed by joint 6 carbons and 6 hydrogens. The carbon atoms are joined by 3 sigm and 3 pie bonds.