Aromatic Hydrocarbons are present in our everyday lives and often are even part of the air we breathe. But are they safe for humans and the environment? Let’s learn what is Aromatic Hydrocarbon and what substances are the best examples of these compounds.
Aromatic Hydrocarbons – definition
To put it simply, Aromatics Hydrocarbons are organic compounds with at least one aromatic ring and sometimes even more. They’re composed only of hydrogen and carbon atoms. It’s worth mentioning that the word “aromatic” is a little misleading, as nowadays the definition of aromatic compounds has nothing to do with their actual smell. However, years ago, scientists grouped molecules based on their scent and only later learned about their chemical properties.
Source of Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Where do Aromatic Hydrocarbons come from? Fossil fuels, such as petroleum and coal, are, without a doubt, the primary sources of these compounds. Whenever fossil fuels are burned, Aromatic Hydrocarbons are released into the air and just continue to float there. That causes significant issues as the vast majority of these chemicals are toxic to both humans and the environment and should be heavily limited or completely avoided.
Properties of Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Aromatic Hydrocarbons are quite distinctive because all of them have conjugated double bonds in their rings, which boosts their stability through resonance. They’re hydrocarbons and contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Carbon atoms are linked with each other in a circle and create so-called aromatic rings. Even though most Aromatic Hydrocarbons are known for their pleasant scent, they’re profoundly toxic and can cause cancer. On top of that, these compounds are highly flammable, and when burned, they release carbon dioxide, water, and heat. Check out what carbon sink is.
Examples of Aromatic Hydrocarbons
As we mentioned before, the majority of these compounds come from the burning of fossil fuels, so examples of Aromatic Hydrocarbons will include a lot of air pollutants. One of the main ones is benzene, also known as the simplest Aromatic Hydrocarbon because it has only one aromatic ring. It’s a colorless and sweetly-smelling liquid with highly flammable properties. Because of its simple molecular formula, it’s used mainly as a precursor in the manufacturing process of other, more complex chemicals. Other examples of well-known hydrocarbons include methane, propane, ethane, and butane.
Also check out 9 steps you can take to reduce air pollution.