What is the main reason for the stability of aromatic compounds?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the main reason for the stability of aromatic compounds?
High molecular weight
Presence of double bonds
Resonance energy
Hydrogen bonding
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the main reason for the stability of aromatic compounds?
Correct Answer: Resonance energy due to delocalization of pi electrons.
Step 1: Understand what aromatic compounds are. They are special types of cyclic (ring-shaped) molecules that have alternating single and double bonds.
Step 2: Learn about pi electrons. These are electrons found in the double bonds of the aromatic compounds that can move freely.
Step 3: Know what delocalization means. It refers to the spreading out of pi electrons over the entire ring structure instead of being fixed between two atoms.
Step 4: Recognize that this delocalization creates a stable structure because it lowers the energy of the molecule.
Step 5: Understand resonance energy. This is the extra stability that comes from having multiple ways to arrange the electrons in the molecule.
Step 6: Conclude that the main reason for the stability of aromatic compounds is the resonance energy from the delocalization of pi electrons.
