Benzene Molecule in 3D: C₆H₆ Structure and Facts
Benzene is a flat ring of six carbon atoms, each with one hydrogen. Its electrons are shared around the whole ring, which makes it unusually stable. In Molecule Studio you can spin the benzene molecule, zoom in on each atom and measure its bonds.
Explore in 3DBenzene quick facts
| Chemical formula | C₆H₆ |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 78.11 g/mol |
| Atoms in one molecule | 12 |
| Shape | Flat hexagonal ring, with angles of 120 degrees |
| Group | Organic |
What is benzene used for?
- Making plastics, nylon and dyes
- Making medicines and detergents
- Industrial solvent (now limited)
Interesting facts about benzene
- All 12 atoms lie in one flat plane.
- The bonds are all the same length, between single and double.
- Its ring structure was proposed by August Kekule in 1865.
- Benzene is harmful to health, so its use is controlled.
What you can do in 3D
Turn the molecule to see it from every side, switch between ball and stick, space filling and wire views, and tap atoms to measure bond lengths and angles.
More organic molecules
Benzene questions
What is the formula of benzene?
C6H6: six carbon atoms in a ring, each with one hydrogen.
What shape is benzene?
A flat hexagon with bond angles of 120 degrees.
Who discovered the structure of benzene?
August Kekule proposed the ring structure in 1865.
Why is benzene so stable?
Its electrons are spread evenly around the ring, which lowers its energy.
Molecule Studio is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up. In the tool, molecules load from the built-in library or from PubChem.