Which scientist is credited with discovering the organic compound benzene, an important substance in organic chemistry?

Introduction / Context:
Benzene is a fundamental organic compound that plays a central role in organic chemistry and the chemical industry. Understanding who discovered benzene helps students link famous scientists with key milestones in chemistry. This question therefore checks your general knowledge of scientific discoveries and your ability to associate important compounds with the scientists who first identified them.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks about the scientist credited with discovering benzene as a compound.
• The focus is on the initial discovery, not on the later determination of the ring structure.
• We assume awareness of important chemists and their well known contributions.

Concept / Approach:
To answer the question, recall that benzene was first isolated in the early nineteenth century from gas used for lighting. A famous English scientist who worked extensively with gases and liquids is credited with this discovery. Later on, another scientist, August Kekule, proposed the ring structure of benzene, but the original discovery of the substance came earlier. The correct option is the scientist who first identified benzene as a separate compound.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon discovered in the nineteenth century. Step 2: Recall that Michael Faraday, known for his work in electricity, also conducted many experiments with gases and liquids. Step 3: Faraday isolated benzene from an oil used for gas lighting and described its properties. Step 4: Look through the options and identify Michael Faraday as the scientist whose work matches this description. Step 5: Select Michael Faraday as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Hal Anger is associated with nuclear medicine imaging. Bruce Ames is known for the Ames test in mutagenicity studies. Nicolas Appert is famous for his work on food preservation and canning. August Kekule is important in the history of benzene because he proposed its cyclic structure, but he did not originally discover the compound. Texts on the history of chemistry clearly mention that Michael Faraday discovered benzene, which confirms that he is the correct choice for this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Hal Anger contributed to nuclear imaging technology and not to the discovery of benzene.
Bruce Ames focused on genetic toxicology, not on nineteenth century organic chemistry discoveries.
Nicolas Appert worked in food science and preservation rather than in aromatic hydrocarbon research.
August Kekule explained the structure of benzene later, but the original discovery of the compound is credited to Michael Faraday.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse the discovery of a substance with the explanation of its structure. Because August Kekule is closely associated with the ring model of benzene, some candidates mistakenly select his name. Others may guess randomly among unfamiliar names. To avoid this, it helps to separate in your mind the discovery of benzene by Michael Faraday from the structural theory developed by Kekule. Making such distinctions improves accuracy in a wide range of chemistry general knowledge questions.

Final Answer:
The scientist credited with discovering benzene is Michael Faraday.