Benzene Resonance: The Stability Mystery

Benzene has 3 double bonds, yet it refuses to give addition reactions like Ethene. Why? The answer is Resonance.

See the Electron Cloud

Our 3D simulation shows how electrons spin around the ring.

Open Benzene Lab

The Kekulé Structure Problem

Kekulé suggested that Benzene oscillates between two structures. But real evidence shows that all C-C bonds in Benzene are equal length (1.39 Å).

This means the electrons are not stuck in double bonds; they are delocalized.

Huckel's Rule

A compound is aromatic if it follows the (4n+2) rule.

Benzene: 6 pi electrons.
4n + 2 = 6
4n = 4 -> n = 1 (Integer)
Result: Aromatic ✅