Hydrocarbons based on the structure of benzene, characterized by a very stable, unsaturated ring. Aromatics make up a sizeable fraction of the hydrocarbons emitted from automobiles, and their high reactivity contributes to local smog formation.
'aromatics' means organic compounds that are characterized by one or more benzene rings, with or without aliphatic hydrocarbon substitutions of hydrogen atoms on the rings, and that do not contain halogens
Hydrocarbons derived from or characterized by presence of unsaturated resonant ring structures.
A class of synthetic compounds used as solvents and grease cutters, these are members of the carcinogenic benzene family of chemicals. Though not all are carcinogenic, aromatic hydrocarbons should nonetheless be considered hazardous. Aromatic hydrocarbons also contaminate air and groundwater. (They cannot easily evaporate underground and little biological activity exists there to cause them to biodegrade.) Found in: Conventional heavy-duty degreasers, deodorizers.
A class of relatively strong organic solvents which contain an unsaturated ring of carbon atoms. Examples are benzene, toluene and xylene.