Benzene is a colorless and transparent liquid with a special aromatic smell at room temperature. It is volatile, less dense than water, insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents. It is also an excellent organic solvent.

The chemical properties of benzene are generally easy to replace, can be added and is not easy to oxidize.

1 benzene can be replaced by pure halogen in the presence of iron or iron trihalide as catalyst to produce halogenated benzene. It shows that the hydrogen atom on benzene ring can be substituted.

Benzene and concentrated nitric acid react with concentrated sulfuric acid as catalyst to produce nitrobenzene under heating, which is called nitration reaction.

Benzene reacts with concentrated sulfuric acid under heating to produce benzene sulfonic acid. This is called sulfonation of benzene.

Benzene reacts with hydrogen to produce cyclohexane under the conditions of catalyst heating and pressure. It can also form hexachlorocyclohexane with chlorine.

Benzene cannot react with strong oxidants such as acidic potassium permanganate, so it is difficult to oxidize. Oxidation of benzene generally refers to the combustion of benzene, when the flame is bright and accompanied by thick smoke. The high carbon content is caused by insufficient combustion.