Arene
An aromatic hydrocarbon containing one or more benzene rings.
Formula / equation
CₙH₂ₙ₋₆
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Arenes possess a delocalised pi system that confers exceptional stability, so they undergo substitution rather than addition and thereby preserve the ring. Their planar, electron-rich rings stack readily, which raises their melting points relative to comparable aliphatic compounds.
Examples in the real world
Benzene, toluene and the xylenes; naphthalene in mothballs; polycyclic arenes in soot.