MODULE ASSESSMENT

BENZENE

1. What is Benzene?
 According to the module and discussion, benzene is an organic chemical
compound with the molecular formula C6 H6. It is also a colorless and
highly flammable liquid. It was also defined, that benzene is a natural
constituent of crude oil, and may be synthesized from other compounds
present in petroleum. Benzene is a natural constituent of crude oil and is
one of the elementary petrochemicals. Due to the cyclic continuous pi
bonds between the carbon atoms, benzene is classed as an aromatic
hydrocarbon. It is sometimes abbreviated as PhH. Aside from that,
benzene is a colorless and highly flammable liquid with a sweet smell and
is partially responsible for the aroma around petrol (gasoline) stations. It is
used primarily as a precursor to the manufacture of chemicals with more
complex structures, such as ethylbenzene and cumene, of which billions of
kilograms are produced annually. Although a major industrial chemical,
benzene finds limited use in consumer items because of its toxicity.

2. What are the physical properties of benzene? Is it flammable?

 The physical properties of benzene are the following: first, benzene
belongs to the family of aromatic hydrocarbons which are nonpolar
molecules and are usually colorless liquids or solids with a characteristic
aroma. Second, Benzene being non-polar is immiscible with water but is
readily miscible with organic solvents. From this, the benzene is
flammable.

3. What is the functional group present in Benzaldehyde, Benzoic acid, and

Aniline? Did we encounter it in our previous modules?
 Anchored from the module and upon scrutinizing this structural formula
I found out that the functional group present in benzaldehyde is an
aldehyde. Meanwhile, in the benzoic acid, the present functional group
is a carboxylic acid, however, in the aniline, the present functional
group is the amino group. With this, the mentioned functional group
was already elucidated in our previous modules.

4. What are products with benzene?

 Glues  Paints
 Solvents  Plastics
 Petroleum  Rubbers
 Gasoline,  Resins
 Kerosene  Nylon
 Styrene,  Lubricants
 Styrofoam  Detergents
 Insecticides  Dyes
 Pesticides  Fertilizers
5. What is the sign and symptoms of exposure to Benzene?

The signs and symptoms of exposure to benzene may include:

 The skin turns pale; the appearance of red dots on the skin
 Respiratory difficulties, which may be severe if the chemical is inhaled
 Chest pain and tightness
 Headache, lethargy
 Nausea, vomiting; appetite loss
 Vision abnormalities including blurry vision
 Increased or irregular heart rate
 Feeling dizzy or drowsy
 Over-excitement, acting ‘drunk’
 Lack of coordinated movements
 Low level of alertness
 Seizures
 Shock and unconsciousness

6. How are people exposed to benzene?

 People are exposed to benzene by breathing it in the air. Benzene gets
into the air from forest fires, car emissions, gasoline vapors, and tobacco
smoke. People who work with petroleum products, including gasoline, are
exposed to benzene by touching or breathing in the chemical. Benzene
also can be absorbed into the body by eating food or drinking water or
other beverages contaminated with benzene. These exposures are less
common than breathing in the chemical. In addition, people are also
exposed to benzene caused by the ingestion of benzene (liquid). This
intake could be accidental, or in some cases intentional, to bring self-harm.

7. Draw the structural formula of p-nitromethyl benzene.