Benzene

A colorless, liquid, inflammable, aromatic hydrocarbon which boils at 80.1 °C and freezes at 5.4 to 5.5°C. Benzene is used as a solvent and particularly in Europe as a constituent of motor fuel. In the United States the largest uses of benzene are for the manufacture of styrene and phenol. Other important outlets are in the production of chlorinated benzenes (used in DDT and moth flakes), and benzene hexachlo-ride, an insecticide.