Substance profile
Benzene
Benzene is a clear, colorless liquid with an aromatic odor.
01 · Identification
What Benzene is
Benzene is a clear, colorless liquid with an aromatic odor. Its molecular formula is C6H6 and its molecular weight is 78.11 g/mol. It boils at 80.1 °C, melts at 5.6 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Benzene
- benzol
- C6H6
- (6)Annulene
- Benzin
- Benzine
- Benzole
- Benzolene
- Bicarburet Of Hydrogen
- Carbon Oil
- Coal Naphtha
- Cyclohexatriene
- 1,3,5-Cyclohexatriene
- Mineral Naphtha
- Motor Benzol
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H304 | May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P264, P270, P280, P302, P305, P308, P313, P314, P332, P337, P338, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Benzene properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 80.08 °C (176.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 80 °C (176 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 80.11 °C (176.2 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 5.56 °C (42 °F) | HSDB | |
| 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.88 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8756 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.879 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, chloroform, ether, carbon disulfide, acetone, oils, carbon tetrachloride, and glacial acetic acid | HSDB | |
| Miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether, acetone, chloroform; coluble in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | ||
| In water, 1.79X10+3 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 75 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 75.0062 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 94.8 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -11.11 °C (12 °F) | HSDB | |
| -11 °C (12.2 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 497.78 °C (928 °F) | HSDB | |
| 591.67 °C (1097 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 498 °C (928.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.2 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 1.4 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 8 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 2.8 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.77 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 2.7 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 4.68 PPM | HSDB | |
| In air: 4.9 mg/cu m (characteristic odor), in water: 2.0 mg/l. | HSDB | ||
| distinct odor: 310 mg/cu m= 90 ppm | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 288.85 °C (551.9 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Benzene
Storage conditions
Keep in well closed containers in a cool place and away from fire.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Reacts violently with iodine pentafluoride.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Benzene in the storage compatibility matrix →
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