BENZENE
About Benzene
Benzene is a colourless, flammable liquid with a sweet odour. Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly. Its vapour is heavier than air and may sink into low-lying areas. Benzene dissolves only slightly in water and will float on top of water. Benzene is formed from natural processes, such as volcanoes and forest fires, but most exposure to benzene results from human activities. Abundance Benzene is among the 20 most widely used chemicals in the United States. It is used mainly as a starting material in making other chemicals, including plastics, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Exposure to Benzene Benzene is a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Outdoor air contains low levels of benzene from tobacco smoke, gas stations, motor vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions. Indoor air generally contains levels of benzene higher than those in outdoor air. The benzene in indoor air comes from products that contain benzene such as glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents. in other areas. Benzene leaks from underground storage tanks or from hazardous waste sites containing benzene can contaminate well water. Natural Occurrence
Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Effects on Health Benzene increases the risk of cancer and other illnesses. Benzene is a notorious cause of bone marrow failure. Substantial quantities of epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data link benzene to aplastic anaemia, acute leukaemia, and bone marrow abnormalities. |
BENZENE
ˈbɛnziːn/ noun A colourless volatile liquid hydrocarbon present in coal tar and petroleum, and used in chemical synthesis. Its use as a solvent has been reduced because of its carcinogenic properties. Chemical Formula: C6H6 Molar mass: 78.11 g·mol−1 Melting point 5.53 °C Boiling point 80.1 °C Whats in the Name?
The word "benzene" derives historically from "gum benzoin" (benzoin resin), an aromatic resin known to European pharmacists and perfumers since the 15th century as a product of southeast Asia. When and who discovered it?
Michael Faraday first isolated and identified benzene in 1825 from the oily residue derived from the production of illuminating gas, giving it the name bicarburet of hydrogen. In 1833, Eilhard Mitscherlich produced it via the distillation of benzoic acid (from gum benzoin) and lime. He gave the compound the name benzin. Michael Faraday Eilhard Mitscherlich Image above: a diagram showing a benzene molecule structure (image not to scale)
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