Question

Although benzene is highly unsaturated it does not undergo addition reactions. The explanation of this can be suggested as:

• A. $\pi$-electrons of benzene ring are delocalised
• B. since $\pi$-electrons are present inside the ring, addition cannot take place
• C. cyclic structures do not show addition reactions
• D. benzene is not a reactive compound.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$\pi$-electrons of benzene ring are delocalised

(A) $\pi$-electrons of the benzene ring are delocalised.

There are delocalised $\pi$-electrons above and below the plane of the ring. The presence of the delocalised $\pi$-electrons makes benzene particularly stable. Benzene resists addition reactions because that would involve breaking the delocalisation and losing that stability.