Benzene

{ben’-zen) [benzoin], C6H6. A hydrocarbon contained in coal-tar. It is formed by the dry distillation of all benzene acids. It is a mobile, ethereal-smelling liquid, of specific gravity 0.899 a* °°- ^ solidifies about o°, melts at + 6°, boils at 80. 50, and burns with a luminous flame. It readily BEXZIMID di olves resins, fats, sulphur, iodin, and phosphorus. Anilin and the anilin-colors are derived from it. B.-sulphonic Acid, C6H5.- S03H, is prepared by boiling together equal parts of benzene and H2S04. It occurs in small plates, readily soluble in alcohol and water, and which deliquesce in the air. 144