Why is a benzene ring so stable (3 marks)?
The p orbitals on each carbon atom in benzene overlapThere is delocalisation of electrons in the ring (not 3 localised C==C double bonds)This makes benzene more thermodynamically stable than predictedIt therefore undergoes substitution reactions rather than addition reactions because addition reaction break the delocalisation in the ring. e.g The nitration of benzene results in a loss of H+ which is replaced by NO2+
AC
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