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Chapter 24: Problem 30

Benzene and cyclohexane molecules both contain six-membered rings. Benzene is a planar molecule, and cyclohexane is nonplanar. Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The benzene molecule is planar because it has a hexagonal structure with a pi system due to delocalized electrons. Cyclohexane is nonplanar because it has a puckered ring structure with no pi system due to no presence of delocalized electrons.

Step by step solution

01

Structure of Benzene

Benzene (C6H6) is a planar molecule. This is because it has a hexagonal structure where each carbon atom is bonded to two other carbon atoms and one hydrogen atom. The sixth electron in each carbon atom is delocalized, forming a pi system around the ring of carbon atoms. This makes benzene planar as the carbon ring lies in the same plane.
02

Structure of Cyclohexane

Cyclohexane (C6H12) on the other hand is not a planar molecule. Each carbon atom in cyclohexane is bonded to two other carbon atoms and two hydrogen atoms. There are no delocalized electrons that form a pi system. The carbon atoms form a puckered ring structure in order to minimize repulsion between the electron pairs of the C-H bonds, causing the molecule to be nonplanar.
03

Comparison between benzene and cyclohexane

So, the main difference between benzene and cyclohexane comes from their electron arrangements around their carbon ring which causes benzene to be planar and cyclohexane to be nonplanar.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Generally aldehydes are more susceptible to oxidation in air than are ketones. Use acetaldehyde and acetone as examples and show why ketones such as acetone are more stable than aldehydes in this respect.

How many liters of air \(\left(78\right.\) percent \(\mathrm{N}_{2}, 22\) percent \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) by volume) at \(20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and 1.00 atm are needed for the complete combustion of \(1.0 \mathrm{~L}\) of octane, \(\mathrm{C}_{8} \mathrm{H}_{18}, \mathrm{a}\) typical gasoline component that has a density of \(0.70 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{mL} ?\)

What is Markovnikov's rule?

Draw all the possible structural isomers for the molecule having the formula \(\mathrm{C}_{7} \mathrm{H}_{7} \mathrm{Cl}\). The molecule contains one benzene ring.

Alkenes exhibit geometric isomerism because rotation about the \(\mathrm{C} \equiv \mathrm{C}\) bond is restricted. Explain.
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