Question

Why is benzene extra ordinarily stable though it contains three double bonds?

Answer 1

Benzene is a hybrid of resonating structures given as:

All six carbon atoms in benzene are sp² hybridized. The two sp² hybrid orbitals of each carbon atom overlap with the sp² hybrid orbitals of adjacent carbon atoms to form six sigma bonds in the hexagonal plane. The remaining sp² hybrid orbital on each carbon atom overlaps with the s-orbital of hydrogen to form six sigma C–H bonds. The remaining unhybridized p-orbital of carbon atoms has the possibility of forming three π bonds by the lateral overlap of .

The six π’s are delocalized and can move freely about the six carbon nuclei. Even after the presence of three double bonds, these delocalized π-electrons stabilize benzene.