Class 11 Chemistry simulations · Hydrocarbons

Benzene: resonance and equal bonds

Flip between the two Kekulé structures and the resonance hybrid of benzene.

Open the simulation

What to notice

All six C–C bonds in benzene are equal (139 pm): the π electrons are delocalised over the ring.

Key relation

C–C (single) 154 pm, C=C (double) 134 pm, benzene C–C 139 pm

Try this

Compare the bond lengths in a Kekulé structure with the hybrid.

What you can change

• View: choose Kekulé structure I, Kekulé structure II, Resonance hybrid

More in Hydrocarbons

• Conformations of ethane
• Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov addition

See all Class 11 Chemistry simulations or every Physica simulation.