Describe the structure and bonding in Benzene (C6H6).

Benzene is a planar 6 membered cyclic ring, with each atom in the ring being a carbon atom (Homo-aromatic). Each carbon atom is sp^2 hybridised being bonded to two other carbon atoms and one hydrogen atom. There is a bond angle of 120 degrees around each carbon atom and a carbon-carbon bond length of 140 pm (1.40 Angstroms). Carbon-hydrogen bond length is 109 pm (1.09 Angstroms) Benzene is a delocalised pi-system formed via the overlap of carbon's py orbitals forming a ring of electron density above and below the plane of the benzene ring. Six electrons are donated to the delocalised pi-system, one from each py orbital.

GN
Answered by George N. Chemistry tutor

34698 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe and explain the trend in first ionisation energy down group 2 of the periodic table.


Explain why xenon has a lower first ionization energy than neon.


By comparing the forces involved, explain why hydrogen iodide (HI) would have a higher boiling point than hydrogen bromide (HBr)?


Given is a following reaction at equilibrium: N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇄ 2NH3(g), ΔH < 0. What will be the effect of changing the following conditions on the system? 1. Increasing pressure. 2. Decreasing temperature. 3. Adding a catalyst. 4. Adding HCl(g).


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning