How do I Distinguish Between Benzene & Cyclohexane?
Benzene possesses a chemical formula of C6H6. Structurally, benzene molecules consist of six carbon atoms in a hexagonal six-membered ring with alternating single and double bonds between the carbon atoms. Cyclohexane–chemical formula C6H12–also consists of molecules with a hexagonal six-membered carbon ring, but with single bonds only. Chemists refer to certain compounds with alternating single and double bonds between carbon atoms, like benzene, as “aromatic” compounds. Organic-chemistry students learn to test for aromaticity in hydrocarbons by the ignition test (See References 2). When burned, aromatic hydrocarbons produce a sooty, yellow flame due to incomplete combustion, whereas nonaromatic hydrocarbons tend to burn more cleanly.
