It Began with a Daydream: The 150th Anniversary of the Kekulé Benzene Structure

Abstract

In January 1865, August Kekulé (see picture) published his theory of the structure of benzene, which he later reported had come to him in a daydream about a snake biting its tail. Although other theories had been postulated before 1865, Kekulé was the first to identify the correct structure. Kekulé's theory resulted in a clear understanding of aromatic compounds and thus had a major impact on the development of chemical science and industry.