This page provides supplementary chemical data on benzene.

Material Safety Data Sheet

The handling of this chemical may incur notable safety precautions. It is highly recommended to seek the Material Safety Datasheet (MSDS) for this chemical from a reliable source such as , and follow its directions. MSDS for benzene is available at .

Structure and properties

Structure and properties
Abbe number?
Dielectric constant, εr(2.274 – 0.0020ΔT) ε0 (ΔT = T – 25 °C)
Bond energy?
Bond length1.39 Å C-C
Molecular geometry120 °C–C–C 120° H–C–C
Surface tension28.88 dyn/cm at 25 °C
Viscosity0.7528 mPa·s at 10 °C 0.6999 mPa·s at 15 °C 0.6516 mPa·s at 20 °C 0.6076 mPa·s at 25 °C 0.5673 mPa·s at 35 °C 0.4965 mPa·s at 40 °C 0.4655 mPa·s at 45 °C 0.4370 mPa·s at 50 °C 0.4108 mPa·s at 55 °C 0.3867 mPa·s at 60 °C 0.3644 mPa·s at 65 °C 0.3439 mPa·s at 70 °C 0.3250 mPa·s at 75 °C 0.3075 mPa·s at 80 °C
0.7528 mPa·sat 10 °C
0.6999 mPa·sat 15 °C
0.6516 mPa·sat 20 °C
0.6076 mPa·sat 25 °C
0.5673 mPa·sat 35 °C
0.4965 mPa·sat 40 °C
0.4655 mPa·sat 45 °C
0.4370 mPa·sat 50 °C
0.4108 mPa·sat 55 °C
0.3867 mPa·sat 60 °C
0.3644 mPa·sat 65 °C
0.3439 mPa·sat 70 °C
0.3250 mPa·sat 75 °C
0.3075 mPa·sat 80 °C

Thermodynamic properties

Phase behavior
Triple point278.5 K (5.4 °C), 4.83 kPa
Std entropy change of fusion, ΔfusSo35.5 J/(mol·K) at 5.42 °C
Std enthalpy change of vaporization, ΔvapHo33.9 kJ/mol at 25 °C 30.77 kJ/mol at 80.1 °C
Std entropy change of vaporization, ΔvapSo113.6 J/(mol·K) at 25 °C 87.1 J/(mol·K) at 80.1 °C
Solid properties
Standard molar entropy, Sosolid45.56 J/(mol K)
Heat capacity, cp118.4 J/(mol K) at 0 °C
Liquid properties
Std enthalpy change of formation, ΔfHoliquid+48.7 kJ/mol
Standard molar entropy, Soliquid173.26 J/(mol K)
Enthalpy of combustion, ΔcHo–3273 kJ/mol
Heat capacity, cp134.8 J/(mol K)
Gas properties
Std enthalpy change of formation, ΔfHogas+82.93 kJ/mol
Standard molar entropy, Sogas269.01 J/(mol K)
Heat capacity, cp82.44 J/(mol K) at 25 °C
van der Waals' constantsa = 1823.9 L2 kPa/mol2 b = 0.1154 liter per mole

Vapor pressure of liquid

P in mm Hg11040100400760152038007600152003040045600
T in °C–36.7(s)–11.5(s)7.626.160.680.1103.8142.5178.8221.5272.3

Table data obtained from CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics 44th ed. Note: (s) notation indicates equilibrium temperature of vapor over solid, otherwise value is equilibrium temperature of vapor over liquid.

log of Benzene vapor pressure. Uses formula: log e ⁡ P m m H g = {\displaystyle \scriptstyle \log _{e}P_{mmHg}=}log e ⁡ ( 760 101.325 ) − 8.433613 log e ⁡ ( T + 273.15 ) − 6281.040 T + 273.15 + 71.10718 + 6.198413 × 10 − 06 ( T + 273.15 ) 2 {\displaystyle \scriptstyle \log _{e}({\frac {760}{101.325}})-8.433613\log _{e}(T+273.15)-{\frac {6281.040}{T+273.15}}+71.10718+6.198413\times 10^{-06}(T+273.15)^{2}} obtained from CHERIC Note: yellow area is the region where the formula disagrees with tabulated data above.

Distillation data

BP Temp. °C% by mole ethanol
Vapor-liquid Equilibrium for Benzene/Ethanol P = 760 mm Hg BP Temp. °C % by mole ethanol liquid vapor 70.8 8.6 26.5 69.8 11.2 28.2 69.6 12.0 30.8 69.1 15.8 33.5 68.5 20.0 36.8 67.7 30.8 41.0 67.7 44.2 44.6 68.1 60.4 50.5 69.6 77.0 59.0 70.4 81.5 62.8 70.9 84.1 66.5 72.7 89.8 74.4 73.8 92.4 78.2Vapor-liquid Equilibrium for Benzene/Methanol P = 760 mm Hg BP Temp. °C % by mole methanol liquid vapor 70.67 2.6 26.7 66.44 5.0 37.1 62.87 8.8 45.7 60.20 16.4 52.6 58.64 33.3 55.9 58.02 54.9 59.5 58.10 69.9 63.3 58.47 78.2 66.5 59.90 89.8 76.0 62.71 97.3 90.7Vapor-liquid Equilibrium for Benzene/Acetone P = 101.325 kPa BP Temp. °C % by mole benzene liquid vapor 57.34 11.7 7.4 57.48 12.8 8.1 57.75 15.1 9.5 59.21 26.7 16.6 59.24 27.0 16.7 60.01 32.7 20.2 60.71 37.3 23.1 61.05 39.8 24.7 61.91 45.0 27.9 62.82 50.2 31.7 63.39 53.4 33.9 63.79 55.4 35.3 64.22 57.2 37.0 64.99 61.3 39.9 67.88 73.0 51.2 70.21 80.7 60.1 72.23 86.1 67.9Vapor-liquid Equilibrium for Benzene/n-Hexane P = 760 mmHg BP Temp. °C % by mole hexane liquid vapor 77.6 7.3 14.0 75.1 17.2 26.8 73.4 26.8 37.6 72.0 37.2 46.0 70.9 46.2 54.0 70.0 58.5 64.4 69.4 69.2 72.5 69.1 79.2 80.7 69.0 82.8 83.8 68.9 88.3 88.8 68.8 94.7 95.0 68.8 96.2 96.4
Vapor-liquid Equilibrium for Benzene/Ethanol P = 760 mm Hg
liquidvapor
70.88.626.5
69.811.228.2
69.612.030.8
69.115.833.5
68.520.036.8
67.730.841.0
67.744.244.6
68.160.450.5
69.677.059.0
70.481.562.8
70.984.166.5
72.789.874.4
73.892.478.2
Vapor-liquid Equilibrium for Benzene/Methanol P = 760 mm Hg
BP Temp. °C% by mole methanol
liquidvapor
70.672.626.7
66.445.037.1
62.878.845.7
60.2016.452.6
58.6433.355.9
58.0254.959.5
58.1069.963.3
58.4778.266.5
59.9089.876.0
62.7197.390.7
Vapor-liquid Equilibrium for Benzene/Acetone P = 101.325 kPa
BP Temp. °C% by mole benzene
liquidvapor
57.3411.77.4
57.4812.88.1
57.7515.19.5
59.2126.716.6
59.2427.016.7
60.0132.720.2
60.7137.323.1
61.0539.824.7
61.9145.027.9
62.8250.231.7
63.3953.433.9
63.7955.435.3
64.2257.237.0
64.9961.339.9
67.8873.051.2
70.2180.760.1
72.2386.167.9
Vapor-liquid Equilibrium for Benzene/n-Hexane P = 760 mmHg
BP Temp. °C% by mole hexane
liquidvapor
77.67.314.0
75.117.226.8
73.426.837.6
72.037.246.0
70.946.254.0
70.058.564.4
69.469.272.5
69.179.280.7
69.082.883.8
68.988.388.8
68.894.795.0
68.896.296.4

Spectral data

UV-Vis
Ionization potential9.24 eV (74525.6 cm−1)
S14.75 eV (38311.3 cm−1)
S26.05 eV (48796.5 cm−1)
λmax255 nm
Extinction coefficient, ε?
IR
Major absorption bands(liquid film) Wave number transmittance 3091 cm−1 42% 3072 cm−1 49% 3036 cm−1 27% 1961 cm−1 77% 1815 cm−1 70% 1526 cm−1 81% 1479 cm−1 20% 1393 cm−1 84% 1176 cm−1 86% 1038 cm−1 49% 674 cm−1 4%
(liquid film)
Wave numbertransmittance
3091 cm−142%
3072 cm−149%
3036 cm−127%
1961 cm−177%
1815 cm−170%
1526 cm−181%
1479 cm−120%
1393 cm−184%
1176 cm−186%
1038 cm−149%
674 cm−14%
NMR
Proton NMR(CDCl3, 300 MHz) δ 7.34 (s, 6H)
Carbon-13 NMR(CDCl3, 25 MHz) δ 128.4
Other NMR data
MS
Masses of main fragments

Safety data

Material Safety Data Sheet for benzene:

Common synonymsNone
Physical propertiesForm: colorless liquid
Stability: Stable, but very flammable
Melting point: 5.5 C
Water solubility: negligible
Specific gravity: 0.87
Principal hazards*** Benzene is a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).
*** Very flammable. The pure material, and any solutions containing it, constitute a fire risk.
Safe handlingBenzene should NOT be used at all unless no safer alternatives are available.
If benzene must be used in an experiment, it should be handled at all stages in a fume cupboard.
Wear safety glasses and use protective gloves.
EmergencyEye contact: Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water. Continue for at least ten minutes
and call for immediate medical help.
Skin contact: Wash off with soap and water. Remove any contaminated clothing. If the skin
reddens or appears damaged, call for medical aid.
If swallowed: Call for immediate medical help.
DisposalIt is dangerous to try to dispose of benzene by washing it down a sink, since it is toxic, will cause environmental damage
and presents a fire risk. It is probable that trying to dispose of benzene in this way will also break local
environmental rules. Instead, retain in a safe place in the laboratory (well away from any source of ignition)
for disposal with other flammable, non-chlorinated solvents.
Protective equipmentSafety glasses. If gloves are worn, PVA, butyl rubber and viton are suitable materials.