Problem 8.55


(a) Use the concept of resonance to explain why all six C-C bonds in benzene are equal in length.

Benzene is C6H6; here's the Lewis structure with resonance

(b) Are the C-C bond lengths in benzene shorter than C-C single bonds? Are they shorter than C=C double bonds?

Look at the Lewis structures above: since we can draw more than one acceptable structure by moving double bonds, we have resonance. We think of the carbon-carbon bonds as sort of a 'blend' of the two resonance structures - all the C-C bond lengths are intermediate in length between a C-C single bond and a C=C double bond (the actual bond lengths in benzene are shorter than a pure C-C single bond but longer than a C=C double bond.


If you have any questions or comments, reply to chapman@sou.edu
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Doug Chapman chapman@sou.edu 6/24/08