Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Hydrophobicity of benzene
1Department of Chemistry, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Mezzocannone, 4-80134 Naples, Italy. graziano@chemna.dichi.unina.it
Abstract:
The present work tries to clarify the molecular origin of the poor solubility of benzene in water. The transfer of benzene from pure liquid phase into water is dissected in two processes: transfer from gas phase to pure liquid benzene; and transfer from gas phase to liquid water. The two solvation processes are analyzed in the temperature range 5-100 degrees C according to Lee's Theory. The solvation Gibbs energy change is determined by the balance between the work of cavity creation in the solvent, and the dispersive interactions of the inserted benzene molecule with the surrounding solvent molecules. The purely structural solvent reorganization upon solute insertion proves to be a compensating process. The analysis shows that the work of cavity creation is larger in water than in benzene, whereas the attractive energetic interactions are stronger in benzene than in water; this scenario is true at any temperature. Therefore, both terms act in the same direction, contrasting the transfer of benzene from pure liquid phase into water and determining its hydrophobicity.
Related Concept Videos
Structure of Benzene: Molecular Orbital Model
Structure of Benzene: Kekulé Model
He proposed that benzene has a cyclic structure of six carbon atoms attached to one hydrogen atom each, with three alternating pi bonds.
Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation
NMR Spectroscopy of Benzene Derivatives
Frost Circles for Different Conjugated Systems
Nomenclature of Aromatic Compounds with a Single Substituent

