Learn More About Benzene

Benzene (or benzol) is a colorless and flammable liquid with a pleasant, sweet smell.

Benzene is a carcinogen. It is a component of gasoline and of napalm. It is an important industrial solvent and precursor in the production of drugs, plastics, gasoline, synthetic rubber, and dyes.

Benzene is a natural constituent of crude oil, but it is usually synthesized from other compounds present in petroleum.

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon, and the second [n]-annulene ([6]-annulene).

Benzene was discovered in 1825 by the English scientist Michael Faraday, who isolated it from oil gas and gave it the name bicarburet of hydrogen.

In 1833, the German chemist Eilhard Mitscherlich produced it via the distillation of benzoic acid (from gum benzoin) and lime.

Mitscherlich gave the compound the name benzin. In 1845, the English chemist Charles Mansfield, working under August Wilhelm von Hofmann, isolated benzene from coal tar.

Four years later, Mansfield began the first industrial-scale production of benzene, based on the coal-tar method.

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Name
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Phone Number
Best time to call
Were you exposed to benzene at work?	yes no
Describe your benzene injury
Has anyone in your community had similar experiences with benzene?
Where did you hear about Weitz & Luxenberg?
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