Properties of Benzene (C6H6)
Benzene is a colorless, highly flammable, and sweet-smelling chemical compound with the molecular formula C6H6. It is an aromatic hydrocarbon consisting of a ring of six carbon atoms, each bonded to a hydrogen atom. Benzene is a fundamental building block in the petrochemical industry and is used in the production of various chemicals, including plastics, detergents, and synthetic fibers.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of benzene properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Molar Mass | 78.11 g/mol |
| Density | 879 kg/m3 |
| Dynamic Viscosity | 0.638 mPa·s |
| Surface Tension | 28.88 mN/m |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Melting Point | 5.5 °C |
| Boiling Point | 80.2 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.147 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 1725 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αV) (25°C) | 1.14×10-3 1/°C |
| Vapor Pressure | 10 kPa |
| Critical Constants | Metric |
| Critical Temperature (Tc) | 289 °C |
| Critical Pressure (Pc) | 4.9 MPa |
| Critical Molar Volume (Vc) | 257 cm3/mol |
| Electrical Properties | Metric |
| Relative Permittivity (εr) | 2.285 |
| Optical Properties | Metric |
| Refractive Index (589 nm) | 1.501 |
| Hazardous Data | Metric |
| Flash Point | -11 °C |
| Autoignition Temperature | 498 °C |
| Lower Flammability Limit | 1.2% |
| Upper Flammability Limit | 7.8% |
| NFPA Rating (Health) | 2 |
| NFPA Rating (Fire) | 3 |
| NFPA Rating (Reactivity) | 0 |
Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) Yaws, Carl L. The Yaws Handbook of Physical Properties for Hydrocarbons and Chemicals. Netherlands: Elsevier Science, 2015. 4) Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials, 14th Edition. United States: National Fire Protection Association, 2010.