Which of the following observations was troublesome to 19th-century chemists in the determination of benzene's structure?
A) Benzene contains more hydrogen atoms than expected.
B) Benzene does not undergo combustion.
C) Benzene does not react similarly to alkenes.
D) Benzene reacts similarly to alkenes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Benzene does not react similarly to alkenes, which was troublesome for 19th-century chemists. They expected benzene, with its unsaturated bonds, to behave like alkenes (which readily undergo addition reactions), but it did not, indicating a different structure.

Which of the Following Observations Was Troublesome to 19th-Century Chemists