MOLECULAR ARCHITECTURE 



701 



symmetry and dimensions to crystalline benzene and that by 

 homogeneous partitioning of the assemblage units are derived 

 which conform to the known chemical constitution and pro- 

 perties of benzene. 



The structure depicted in fig. 3 possesses holohedral ortho- 

 rhombic symmetry and, moreover, three dimensions can be 

 selected in the structure at right angles corresponding to the 

 equivalence parameters x \y: z = 3"ioi : 3*480 : 2780. The x 

 and y dimensions are marked in fig. 3 and the z dimension 



shown in fig. 4 is seen to correspond to the height of two 

 layers in the vertical columns. The structure then corresponds 

 geometrically to the known crystalline form of benzene and is 

 so far satisfactory. 



The structure can be homogeneously partitioned into units 

 of the composition CgHc having the form depicted in fig. 2 (a). 

 This partitioning is effected by first breaking up the structure 

 into the vertical columns of molecules already described and 

 then subdividing these columns by a series of horizontal planes. 

 The partitioning by horizontal planes can be accomplished in 

 two ways. Thus if fig. 5 represents a skeleton column in the 

 assemblage, the numerals i, 2, 3, etc., indicating the hydrogen 

 spheres, the partitioning planes can pass between the layers 



