benzene (C6H6)

Benzene (C6H6) is a colorless, aromatic hydrocarbon known for its sweet smell. It's composed of six carbon atoms arranged in a ring, with alternating double bonds, leading to a stable structure. This makes benzene a key building block in chemistry, widely used in making plastics, dyes, and drugs. While useful, benzene is also toxic and a known carcinogen, meaning exposure can increase cancer risk. Thus, handling it requires caution. Its unique properties and structure are essential in organic chemistry and various industrial applications.