The hybridisation of the carbon atoms in benzene is
- A. sp3
- B. sp2
- C. sp
- D. a mixture of sp2 and sp3
Explanation
Each carbon forms three sigma bonds, two to neighbouring carbons and one to a hydrogen, using sp2 hybrids at 120 degrees, which makes the ring flat and regular. The remaining p orbital on each carbon overlaps sideways all around the ring to form the delocalised pi system. That delocalisation gives benzene its exceptional stability.