Question detail
Which statement best describes the difference in stability between benzene and cyclohexatriene?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Aromatic chemistry (A-level only)
Question
- A. Benzene is less stable due to its resonance structures.
- B. Cyclohexatriene is more stable because it has alternating bonds.
- C. Benzene is more stable due to delocalised electrons.
- D. Cyclohexatriene has a lower energy configuration than benzene.
Answer
Benzene is more stable due to delocalised electrons.
Explanation
Benzene is characterized by delocalised electrons that provide additional stability through resonance. Cyclohexatriene, on the other hand, would have localized double bonds, making it less stable. This difference in electron distribution explains why benzene is more stable than cyclohexatriene, particularly in reactions where stability influences reactivity.
Common mistake
Understanding Stability
Students often confuse the stability of benzene with that of theoretical cyclohexatriene, thinking they are equally stable.
Benzene is more stable than cyclohexatriene due to its delocalised electrons, which provide resonance stabilization. Remember that benzene's structure allows for electron delocalization across the ring, while cyclohexatriene does not have this feature.
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