Question

Describe the benzene molecule.

Answer 1

Answer on Question #43824 - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry

Question:

Describe the benzene molecule.

Solution:

Benzene is chemical compound with molecular formula $\mathrm{C_6H_6}$ . Benzene belongs to aromatic hydrocarbons with general formula $\mathrm{C_nH_{2n - 6}}$ , $n = 1,2,3\ldots$

Each carbon atom is connected with another two carbon atoms and with one hydrogen atom, forming six-membered ring. Bond length $(C - C)$ is $139\mathrm{pm}$ , bond length $(C - H)$ is $109\mathrm{pm}$ , angles $(C - C - H)$ and $(C - C - C)$ are equal and come to $120^{\circ}$ . All atoms are in the plane of the molecule, it is planar.

Hybridization of carbon atoms is $sp^2$ in benzene molecule. Three $sp^2$ -hybridized orbitals of each carbon atom are trigonal planar (120°), the rest 6 π-orbitals of each carbon atom are normal to molecular plane, forming delocalized π-system. Delocalized π-system generates two circles above and below cycle plane. The π-system in benzene is marked with circle in the center of the molecule.

Formation of the delocalized $\pi$ -system is energetically profitable for benzene, and it is feature of the aromaticity. The aromaticity causes equal bonds of C - C and C - H, tendency to substitution reactions, and high stability of the delocalized $\pi$ -system and aromatic ring in general.

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