Question

Why benzene is less reactive than ethene but more reactive than ethane?

Answer 1

Both benzene and ethene are unsaturated hydrocarbons but benzene is less reactive than ethene due to extensive delocalization which causes stability. ... On the other hand ethane is less reactive than benzene due to their saturated nature

Answer 2

The resonance structure of benzene can be represented as : The presence of resonance in benzene stabilizes the compound and hence decreases its reactivity.There is no resonance possible in ethene and ethyne and hence the two compounds are not as stable as compared to benzene .