Benzene

Benzene

1. Benzene is 152KJmol-1 more stable than expected. Kekule's structure had an enthalpy of -360KJmol-1 whereas the real structure of benzene was only -208KJmol-1

2. The bond lengths of Kekule's structure were alternating between double and singles. When X-rayed, Benzene was shown to have a bond length inbetween double and single bonds. C=C was measured at 0.153nm C-C was measured at 0.134nm and the actual length was shown to be 0.139nm.

3. Bromine is not decolourised by the reaction with benzene as it cannot be added to the compound through standard addition reactions. Substitution reactions have to take place.