Describe the Structure and Bonding of Benzene

Benzene has the chemical formula C6H6 where each Carbon atom is bonded to two other Carbon atoms and a single Hydrogen atom.  The 4th bond pair of electrons from each Carbon atom is delocalised, creating a delocalised cloud of electrons above and below the plane.  Benzene is an hexagonal ring in shape with bond angles of 120degrees between Carbon atoms.All the bond lengths in Benzene are equal. Because of the system of delocalised electrons Benzene is also far more energetically stable than it should be, its extra stability is know as its delocalisation energy.Because of its increased stability Benzene will not readily unergo addition reactions, instead it undergoes addition reactions whereby a Hydrogen atom is replaced by another atom or group (e.g. Chlorine in the chlorination of Benzene).

BL
Answered by Ben L. Chemistry tutor

66424 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Rank the following compounds in acending order of melting point (and explain your reasoning): CH3CH2CH2NH2, CH3CH2CH3, CH3CH2CH2OH


At room temperature and pressure, the first 4 alkanes are all gases, but the first 4 alcohols are all liquids. Explain this.


Calculate the pH of the following solutions: 0.002 mol/dm^-3 KOH


What are the redox reactions involving carbonyls?


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