| Back | -Benzene is actually more stable than the theoretical alternative cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene (the alternating single and double bond model)-If we hydrogenate cyclohexene, it has an enthalpy change of -120kJmol-1 (1 double bond), benzene has 3 doubles the theoretical is hence an enthalpy change of hydrogenation of -360kJmol-1-In reality, the experimental value is -208Kjmol-1 vs the predicted -360kjmol-1-Bond enthalpy shows its less exothermic, hence more energy is required to break bonds in bezene than cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene, this means its more stable (due to the delocalised electron structure) |