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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: candiishop on August 14, 2006, 04:51:31 PM

Title: Inadequacies and adequacies of benzene model
Post by: candiishop on August 14, 2006, 04:51:31 PM
In lab today... we construct a benzene (C6H6) model and the question ask me briefly comment on the adequacies and the inadequacies of the model you have constructed. I'm not sure how to answer the question but any ideas would be greatly appreciated. thanks

Inadequacies: the double bond & single bond not showing relative sizes?
Title: Re: Inadequacies and adequacies of benzene model
Post by: Mitch on August 14, 2006, 08:41:10 PM
I think they mean the fact that in a benzene molecule the c-c bond has a bond order of 1.5 and is not illustrated well with alternating single and double bonds.
Title: Re: Inadequacies and adequacies of benzene model
Post by: Will on August 14, 2006, 08:59:15 PM
Just a couple of thoughts-
Inadequacy: the delocalised pi-bond 'from' overlap of p-orbitals is not accounted for.
Adequacy: benzene is flat and hexagonal with sp2 hybridised carbons.