Question

How many sigma and pi bonds are present in benzene?

Answer 1

Sigma and pi bonds:

1. The sigma bond is the strongest covalent link formed by the head-on overlapping atomic orbitals.
2. They can be found in alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.
3. One sigma and one pi bond combine to produce a double bond.
4. Pi bonds are covalent chemical bonds that involve the lateral overlapping of two lobes of one atomic orbital with two lobes of another atomic orbital from a different atom.

Benzene:

1. It is an aromatic compound with a chemical formula${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_6$.
2. Each carbon in benzene is bonded to another carbon and hydrogen. As a result, each carbon will have two sigma bonds, one with another carbon and the other with hydrogen.
3. Number of sigma bonds$=6\times 2\Rightarrow 12$
4. To make a pi bond, every two carbons will overlap axially.
5. Number of pi bonds$=6÷2\Rightarrow 3$

Therefore, there are $12$ sigma bonds and $3$ pi bonds in benzene.