We finally get to discuss what the term "aromatic compound" means in chemistry, from Michael Faraday's report in 1825 of a new organic compound (we call it benzene), to von Hofmann's first use in 1856 (without defining it) of the term "aromatic". We examine the ensuing controversies and definitions of "aromatic compound," how people modeled molecularly and diagrammatically what that meant, and current discussions over the word. My Patreon supporters may download a supplemental sheet with molecular structures of some aromatic compounds I mention in the episode.

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