Benzene,C₆H₆,consists of a six member ring of sp² hybridized carbon atoms.Each carbon atom has one unhybridized p orbital.How many $\pi$_2p bonding,antibonding,and nonbonding molecular orbitals exist for benzene? A) Three $\pi$_2p molecular orbitals exist; two bonding and one antibonding. B) Three $\pi$_2p molecular orbitals exist; one bonding,one antibonding,and one nonbonding. C) Six $\pi$_2p molecular orbitals exist; three bonding and three antibonding. D) Six $\pi$_2p molecular orbitals exist; two bonding,two nonbonding,and two antibonding. E) Twelve $\pi$_2p molecular orbitals exist; six bonding and six antibonding.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Benzene has a total of six π electrons in its π system, which means it has six π molecular orbitals (MOs). These six MOs can be classified as bonding or antibonding based on their symmetry and energy.

Three of these MOs have lower energy than the original p orbitals, so they are bonding MOs. The remaining three have higher energy than the original p orbitals, so they are antibonding MOs.

Therefore, the correct answer is C, with three bonding and three antibonding π MOs.

Benzene,C6H6,consists of a Six Member Ring of Sp2 Hybridized Carbon π\piπ

Benzene,C₆H₆,consists of a Six Member Ring of Sp² Hybridized Carbon $\pi$