My question is why is benzene less reactive than 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene?
I know that benzene does not undergo addition reactions and is extremely stable to oxidizing reagents. C atoms in benzene are connected by delocalized double bonds which make them available to all carbon atoms at the same time. This makes the ring system unusually stable.
I cannot find anything on 1,3,5-cyclohexane and why it is more reactive.
To understand why benzene is less reactive than 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene, it is important to look at the structure and properties of both compounds.
Benzene, C6H6, consists of a six-membered ring of carbon atoms, with alternating double bonds and single bonds. This delocalized electron system results in the stability of the molecule. Benzene is known for its aromaticity, which means it has a high degree of stability due to its ability to distribute electrons.
On the other hand, 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene, C6H6, also consists of a six-membered ring but with three isolated double bonds. This compound is not aromatic since the pi electrons are localized rather than being delocalized over the entire ring.
Now, let's address why benzene is less reactive compared to 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene. The greater reactivity of 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene can be attributed to the presence of isolated double bonds. These double bonds are more susceptible to undergoing reactions such as addition reactions with electrophiles.
In benzene, the delocalized electron system provides stability and forms a barrier to addition reactions. The delocalization of pi electrons spreads the electron density across the entire ring, making it less reactive towards electrophiles. This stability is due to the fact that electrons in benzene are shared by all the carbon atoms in the ring rather than localized on specific double bond positions.
In contrast, 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene lacks this electron delocalization and has localized pi electrons. This makes it more prone to undergoing addition reactions since the double bonds are more reactive and susceptible to attack by electrophiles.
So, to summarize, benzene is less reactive than 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene due to its delocalized electron system, which provides aromatic stability and minimizes its reactivity towards addition reactions with electrophiles.