Two Centuries of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

This talk by David Lewis commemorates the bicentenary of benzene's discovery by Michael Faraday in 1825, delivered on March 15, 2025. Explore how Faraday announced his discovery of "bicarburet of hydrogen" (now known as benzene) to the Royal Society in June 1825, and learn about Rudolf Ernst Kaiser's 1968 reassessment revealing that Faraday's original mixture contained over 300 components at significant levels. Discover the fascinating properties of benzene, particularly its unexpected lack of reactivity despite a molecular formula suggesting high unsaturation. Examine the concept of aromaticity and various methods for its assessment that continue to intrigue both chemists and physicists. Gain insights into the historical significance and enduring scientific legacy of Faraday's groundbreaking discovery in this 47-minute presentation from the Royal Society of Chemistry.