MolDraw › 3D molecule models › Benzene 3D model
Benzene molecule model (C6H6)
Benzene is a flat hexagonal ring of six sp² carbons with a delocalised π system of six electrons. It is the parent aromatic compound, and all six C–C bonds are identical.
Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: PubChem conformer (CID 241).
Benzene at a glance
| Formula | C6H6 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 78.11 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | benzene |
| Atoms / bonds | 12 / 12 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 0 / 0 |
| XLogP3 | 2.1 |
| SMILES | C1=CC=CC=C1 |
| PubChem CID | 241 |
What the 3D model of Benzene shows
The model contains 12 atoms (6 heavy atoms and 6 hydrogens) joined by 12 bonds; in ball-and-stick mode every stick is one bond, and double or aromatic bonds are drawn as multiple sticks. Switch to space-filling to see the molecule as its electron cloud, scaled to van der Waals radii: this is the shape other molecules actually "feel". It has no hydrogen-bond donors or acceptors, so it interacts mainly through weak London dispersion forces, and its PubChem XLogP3 of 2.1 means it is fat-loving (lipophilic). Its topological polar surface area is 0 Ų.
Shape and bond angles
| Atom(s) | Geometry / hybridisation | Angles & lengths |
|---|---|---|
| C (×6) | Trigonal planar, sp²; whole molecule planar hexagon | C–C–C and H–C–C 120°; all C–C 139.7 pm |
Is Benzene polar?
Nonpolar: the hexagon is perfectly symmetric.
Elemental composition of C6H6
| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | Mass % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 6 | 72.066 | 92.26% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 6 | 6.048 | 7.74% |
Calculated from IUPAC standard atomic weights. Check any formula with the molar mass calculator.
Uses of benzene
- Feedstock for styrene, phenol, cyclohexane (nylon) and many drugs and dyes
- Historically a solvent (now restricted)
Interesting facts
- All six C–C bonds are 139.7 pm long, between a C–C single bond (154 pm) and a C=C double bond (134 pm).
- Kekulé proposed the ring structure in 1865, reportedly after dreaming of a snake biting its tail.
- Benzene is a known human carcinogen, so toluene is used instead where possible.
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Open MolDraw editorFrequently asked questions
Why is benzene planar?
Every carbon is sp² hybridised, and the unhybridised p orbitals must line up side by side to form the delocalised π ring.
Does benzene have alternating single and double bonds?
No. The two Kekulé structures are resonance forms, and all six bonds are equal (bond order 1.5).
What is the chemical formula and molar mass of benzene?
Benzene is C6H6 with a molar mass of 78.11 g/mol (PubChem CID 241). It contains 12 atoms: 6 carbon, 6 hydrogen.
What is the IUPAC name of Benzene?
The PubChem-computed IUPAC name is benzene.
How do I make a model of Benzene?
Rotate the interactive model above to see how its 12 atoms connect, then copy it with a ball-and-stick kit: use the CPK colours shown (carbon grey or black, hydrogen white, oxygen red, nitrogen blue). For a school project, foam balls and toothpicks work well.