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Q9.10:
Why is benzene extra ordinarily stable though it contains three double bonds?
Solution :
Step 1: Structural Analysis and Delocalization
Benzene ($C_6H_6$) consists of a planar hexagonal ring where each carbon atom is $sp^2$ hybridized. Each carbon atom forms three $\sigma$-bonds (two with adjacent carbons and one with a hydrogen atom). The third $p$-orbital on each carbon atom remains unhybridized and is oriented perpendicular to the molecular plane. [Per VSEPR Theory and Molecular Orbital Theory]
Step 2: Formation of the $\pi$-Electron Cloud
The six unhybridized $2p_z$ orbitals undergo lateral (side-on) overlap. Because of the cyclic arrangement, this overlap is not restricted to isolated double bonds but extends over the entire ring. This creates two continuous doughnut-shaped electron clouds—one above and one below the plane of the hexagonal ring. [Per Huckel's Rule for Aromaticity]
Step 3: Resonance Energy and Stability
The "extraordinary stability" is quantitatively expressed as Resonance Energy. When electrons are delocalized over the entire ring, the total potential energy of the system decreases significantly compared to a hypothetical structure with localized double bonds (like 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene). The experimental resonance energy of benzene is found to be approximately $150.4 \text{ kJ/mol}$. [Per Thermodynamic Stability Analysis]
Step 4: Comparison of Bond Lengths
In a standard alkene, the carbon-carbon double bond length is $\approx 134 \text{ pm}$, and the single bond is $\approx 154 \text{ pm}$. In benzene, due to resonance, all six carbon-carbon bonds are identical, possessing a bond length of $\approx 139 \text{ pm}$. This uniformity confirms the absence of isolated double bonds. [Per X-Ray Diffraction Data]
| Feature | Localized Alkenes | Benzene |
|---|---|---|
| Electron Distribution | Fixed/Localized | Delocalized (Cloud) |
| Reactivity | High (Addition Reactions) | Low (Substitution Reactions) |
| Stability | Lower | Higher (Aromatic Stabilization) |
Final Solution: Benzene is extraordinarily stable because the six $\pi$-electrons are fully delocalized across the entire cyclic structure, resulting in a significantly lower energy state than isolated double bonds; this stabilization is mathematically characterized by a resonance energy of $150.4 \text{ kJ/mol}$ and the adherence to Hückel's Rule ($4n+2$ $\pi$-electrons, where $n=1$).
More Questions from Class 11 Chemistry Hydrocarbons EXERCISES
- Q9.1: How do you account for the formation of ethane during chlorination of methane ?
- Q9.11: What are the necessary conditions for any system to be aromatic?
- Q9.12(i): Explain why the following systems are not aromatic? (i)
- Q9.12(ii): Explain why the following systems are not aromatic? (ii)
- Q9.12(iii): Explain why the following systems are not aromatic? (iii)
- Q9.13(i): How will you convert benzene into (i) $p$-nitrobromobenzene
- Q9.13(ii): How will you convert benzene into (ii) $m$-nitrochlorobenzene
- Q9.13(iii): How will you convert benzene into (iii) $p$-nitrotoluene
- Q9.13(iv): How will you convert benzene into (iv) acetophenone?
- Q9.14: In the alkane $H_3C-CH_2-C(CH_3)_2-CH_2-CH(CH_3)_2$, identify $1^{\circ},2^{\circ},3^{\circ}$ carbon atoms and give the number of H atoms bonded to each one of these.
- Q9.15: What effect does branching of an alkane chain has on its boiling point?
- Q9.16: Addition of HBr to propene yields 2-bromopropane, while in the presence of benzoyl peroxide, the same reaction yields 1-bromopropane. Explain and give mechanism.
- Q9.17: Write down the products of ozonolysis of 1,2-dimethylbenzene ($o$-xylene). How does the result support Kekulé structure for benzene?
- Q9.18: Arrange benzene, $n$-hexane and ethyne in decreasing order of acidic behaviour. Also give reason for this behaviour.
- Q9.19: Why does benzene undergo electrophilic substitution reactions easily and nucleophilic substitutions with difficulty?
- Q9.2(a): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (a) $CH_3CH=C(CH_3)_2$
- Q9.2(b): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (b) $CH_2=CH-C \equiv C-CH_3$
- Q9.2(c): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (c)
- Q9.2(d): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (d)
- Q9.2(e): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (e)
- Q9.2(f): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (f)
- Q9.2(g): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (g)
- Q9.20(i): How would you convert the following compounds into benzene? (i) Ethyne
- Q9.20(ii): How would you convert the following compounds into benzene? (ii) Ethene
- Q9.20(iii): How would you convert the following compounds into benzene? (iii) Hexane
- Q9.21: Write structures of all the alkenes which on hydrogenation give 2-methylbutane.
- Q9.22(a): Arrange the following set of compounds in order of their decreasing relative reactivity with an electrophile, $E^+$ (a) Chlorobenzene, 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene, $p$-nitrochlorobenzene
- Q9.22(b): Arrange the following set of compounds in order of their decreasing relative reactivity with an electrophile, $E^+$ (b) Toluene, $p-H_3C-C_6H_4-NO_2$, $p-O_2N-C_6H_4-NO_2$.
- Q9.23: Out of benzene, $m$-dinitrobenzene and toluene which will undergo nitration most easily and why?
- Q9.24: Suggest the name of a Lewis acid other than anhydrous aluminium chloride which can be used during ethylation of benzene.
- Q9.25: Why is Wurtz reaction not preferred for the preparation of alkanes containing odd number of carbon atoms? Illustrate your answer by taking one example.
- Q9.3(a): For the following compounds, write structural formulas and IUPAC names for all possible isomers having the number of double or triple bond as indicated : (a) $C_4H_8$ (one double bond)
- Q9.3(b): For the following compounds, write structural formulas and IUPAC names for all possible isomers having the number of double or triple bond as indicated : (b) $C_5H_8$ (one triple bond)
- Q9.4(i): Write IUPAC names of the products obtained by the ozonolysis of the following compounds : (i) Pent-2-ene
- Q9.4(ii): Write IUPAC names of the products obtained by the ozonolysis of the following compounds : (ii) 3,4-Dimethylhept-3-ene
- Q9.4(iii): Write IUPAC names of the products obtained by the ozonolysis of the following compounds : (iii) 2-Ethylbut-1-ene
- Q9.4(iv): Write IUPAC names of the products obtained by the ozonolysis of the following compounds : (iv) 1-Phenylbut-1-ene
- Q9.5: An alkene ‘$A$’ on ozonolysis gives a mixture of ethanal and pentan-3-one. Write structure and IUPAC name of ‘$A$’.
- Q9.6: An alkene ‘$A$’ contains three $C-C$, eight $C-H$ $\sigma$ bonds and one $C-C$ $\pi$ bond. ‘$A$’ on ozonolysis gives two moles of an aldehyde of molar mass 44 u. Write IUPAC name of ‘$A$’.
- Q9.7: Propanal and pentan-3-one are the ozonolysis products of an alkene? What is the structural formula of the alkene?
- Q9.8(i): Write chemical equations for combustion reaction of the following hydrocarbons: (i) Butane
- Q9.8(ii): Write chemical equations for combustion reaction of the following hydrocarbons: (ii) Pentene
- Q9.8(iii): Write chemical equations for combustion reaction of the following hydrocarbons: (iii) Hexyne
- Q9.8(iv): Write chemical equations for combustion reaction of the following hydrocarbons: (iv) Toluene
- Q9.9: Draw the cis and trans structures of hex-2-ene. Which isomer will have higher b.p. and why?
CBSE Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry Hydrocarbons
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