What does ‘aromatic’ mean?

In A Level Chemistry, the word aromatic means a molecule’s structure contains at least one cyclic ring which has a delocalised pi electron cloud above and below it. This occurs from unbonded P orbital electrons becoming delocalised from their (usually carbon) atom and being spread across the whole ring structure, which stabilises the molecule. Drawing the molecule in this way is known as its resonance structure.

SL
Answered by Sam L. Chemistry tutor

3661 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the features of a benzene ring that define its reactivity. How does phenol differ from this?


What factors affect acidity in solution?


You have 3.51g of hydrated zinc sulphate. You heat up the zinc sulphate until all the water has evaporated from it. The weight after heating is 1.97g. Find how many H2O molecules per zinc sulphate molecule there are in the hydrated form of it.


What factors influence the reaction rate?


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