What is the molecular formula for benzene?

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon known for its stable ring structure consisting of six carbon atoms, with each carbon atom being bonded to one hydrogen atom. The molecular formula of benzene reflects this unique arrangement, leading to C₆H₆, which indicates that there are six carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms in the molecule. The structure of benzene includes a cyclic arrangement of carbon atoms with alternating single and double bonds, although it is commonly represented as a hexagonal ring with a circle depicting resonance stabilization.

This molecular formula is fundamental in organic chemistry because it serves as a base for understanding various substitution reactions and derivatives of benzene. The incorrect options represent compounds with either too few or too many hydrogen atoms relative to the number of carbon atoms for a stable, saturated hydrocarbon structure. For example, C₅H₆ and C₇H₈ do not correspond to benzene’s hydrogen count and carbon framework.