Benzene is one of the most fascinating molecules. The structure of
this molecule eluded chemists until 1865 when Friedrich August
Kekulé
proposed that it consisted of a hexagonal ring with a carbon atom
at each vertex. Every student of Organic Chemistry has heard the story of
how the structure appeared to Kekulé in a dream in which he saw
chains of
carbon atoms dancing in circles like a snake chasing its own tail.
Alas, benzene is both toxic and carcinogenic. In fact, it might be
considered "the mother of all carcinogens," as a large number of
carcinogens have structures that include benzene rings. (See the link
below for the explanation of this.) I recall my Organic Chemistry
professor joking about how he used to "practically bathe in benzene up to
the elbows" when he would use it in his research (presumably before it was
identified as a carcinogen). He predicted that this would probably lead to
his demise. He was right--he died due to leukemia several years ago.
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