The hybridisation of the carbon atoms in benzene is

  • A. sp3
  • B. sp2
  • C. sp
  • D. a mixture of sp2 and sp3

Explanation

Each carbon forms three sigma bonds, two to neighbouring carbons and one to a hydrogen, using sp2 hybrids at 120 degrees, which makes the ring flat and regular. The remaining p orbital on each carbon overlaps sideways all around the ring to form the delocalised pi system. That delocalisation gives benzene its exceptional stability.

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