Benzene

Formula

Description

Benzene is the basis of a group of hydrocarbons referred to as “aromatics”. It is a clear colorless liquid, with a characteristic aromatic smell. Benzene is produced worldwide in substantial quantities, and because it is very easy to transport by ship, it is traded internationally.

Properties

UnitQuantity / Description
Physical stateLiquid (at temperatures above 5.5°C)
Solid (at temperatures below 5.5°C)
ColorClear, colorless
OdorAromatic
Boiling range/point°C80.1
Melting point°C5.5
Flash point (PMCC)°C-11.1
Explosion limits%Upper limit 7.1
Lower limit 1.3 (measured as V/V)
Solubility in waterkg/m30.189/1009 of H20 at 25°C
Vapor pressurekPa99.45 at 20°C (measured as N/m2)
Densitykg/m3879 at 20°C
Auto-flammability°C498
Vapor densityair2.7

Specifications

UnitQuantityTest Method ASTM/UOP
Benzenewt %≥ 99.85D-4492 (ir/ar/087)
Non-aromaticwt %≤ 0.15D-4492 (ir/ar/087)
Toluenewt %≤ 0.05D-4492 (ir/ar/087)
Solidification point°C≥ 5.35D-852 (ir/ar/052)
Distillation range at 760 mmHg°C1 max including 80.1°CD-850 (ir/ar/051)
Relative density at 15.56°C/15.56°C-0.882-0.886D-4052 (ir/ar/082)
Appearance-clear liquid, free of sedimentation or haze at 18.3 to 25.6°Cvisual inspection
Color Pt/Co scaleHazen≤ 20D-1209 (ir/ar/062)
Acid wash color-≤ 1D-848 (ir/ar/049)
Acidity-no free acidD-847 (ir/ar/048)
Total sulfurppm, wt≤ 1D-4045 (ir/ar/081)
Copper corrosion-pass 1a or 1bD-849 (ir/ar/050)
Bromine indexmg/100 mg20 maxD-1491 (ir/ar/68)
Thiopheneppm, wt1.2 maxD-4735 (ir/ar/70)
Basic nitrogenppm, wt0.1 maxUOP-313 (ir/ar/088)

Printable Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

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