Korean Chemical Society Selects Benzene as First-Ever "Molecule of the Year"... "Shedding New Light on Chemistry's Dual Nature"

200th Anniversary of Discovery: The Starting Point of Modern Chemistry
Highlighting Both Industrial Value and the Importance of Safety Management
"Chemistry Is Not a Dangerous Discipline, but a Language of Creation"
Initiative to Improve Public Perception

The Korean Chemical Society has selected its first-ever "Molecule of the Year" ahead of its 80th anniversary next year. The inaugural honoree representing 2025 is "Benzene (C6H6)."

On December 11, the Korean Chemical Society announced that it has chosen benzene-discovered by Michael Faraday in 1825 and marking its 200th anniversary next year-as the first "Molecule of the Year." This initiative was designed both to highlight the academic and industrial value of benzene, which forms the foundation of modern chemistry, and to dispel the public misconception that "chemistry is dangerous and difficult."

Benzene structural formula image. Provided by Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Benzene-2D-full.svg

200th Anniversary of Discovery, the "Rice" of Modern Industry... Combining Structural Beauty and Practicality

Benzene is a planar compound in which six carbon atoms form a regular hexagonal ring. A famous story in the history of science recounts how, in the late 19th century, German chemist August Kekul? conceived its structure after dreaming of a snake biting its own tail. The concept of "aromaticity," which describes benzene's unique stability, has become the theoretical foundation for the development of advanced new materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes.

From an industrial perspective, benzene is known as the "starting point of modern industrial chemistry." It is a basic raw material used in countless everyday products, including plastics, synthetic rubber, pharmaceuticals, and detergents. The society evaluated benzene as playing a crucial role not only as a simple chemical substance but also as a key link connecting industry and daily life.

Official emblem of the Korean Chemical Society. Korean Chemical Society website

"Toxicity Is Also Part of Chemistry"... Emphasizing 'Safe Management' Over Unfounded Fear

Of course, benzene also has a "dual nature" as it is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). High-concentration exposure can be fatal to humans, making thorough safety management essential. The society explained that this selection is not intended to highlight only the usefulness of the substance, but also to promote scientific understanding that includes its risks and to stress the importance of proper management.

Kim Taeyoung, Chair of the Chemistry Popularization Committee of the Korean Chemical Society and Professor in the Department of Environmental and Energy Engineering at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), defined chemistry as "the language of creation that changes the world," emphasizing the need for a shift in perception. Professor Kim stated, "Everything in our daily lives-from smartphone batteries and hormones that regulate emotions to vaccines that treat diseases-is a product of chemistry. As Paracelsus, the father of toxicology, said, 'All things are poisonous, and only the dose makes a thing not a poison.' The risks of chemical substances are not something to be feared vaguely, but rather a matter of management and use."

He added, "The selection of benzene is a symbolic attempt to remind us of the value of change and diversity in chemistry," and expressed his hope that "chemistry will once again be appreciated as a science that enriches human life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.