Benzene undergoes substitution reactions more easily than addition reactions because:
Correct answer: D. of delocalization of electrons
- A. of its cyclic nature
- B. of having three double bonds
- C. of aromatic character
- D. of delocalization of electrons
Explanation
The correct answer is that benzene undergoes substitution reactions more easily due to the delocalization of electrons. Benzene's electrons are spread over the entire ring structure, contributing to its remarkable stability, known as aromatic stability. This stability makes it less favorable for benzene to undergo addition reactions, which would disrupt the delocalized electron cloud. Instead, benzene prefers substitution reactions, which maintain its stable aromatic structure.Other options are incorrect because: the cyclic nature (Option A) and three double bonds (Option B) are structural features but not the main reasons for reactivity preference. The aromatic character (Option C) contributes to stability but doesn't directly explain substitution preference; it's the specific electron delocalization that does.
This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2012 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Benzene and Aromatic Compounds
Benzene has a planar ring of delocalised π electrons, giving aromatic stability and equal carbon-carbon bond lengths. The topic covers resonance, electrophilic substitution reactions such as nitration, halogenation, sulphonation and Friedel-Crafts reactions, along with substituent effects and the distinction between substitution in benzene and addition in ordinary alkenes.
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