Question

Why is benzene called an aromatic compound?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon because it obeys Hückel's rule.

Originally, benzene was considered aromatic because of its smell: it has an "aromatic" odor.

It is now considered aromatic because it obeys Hückel's rule:

4n+2 = number of π electrons in the hydrocarbon, where n must be an integer.

In the case of benzene, we have 3 π bonds (6 electrons), so 4n+2=6.

n=1 (an integer). So, benzene is aromatic.

Another example is naphthalene, with two fused benzene rings.

It has 5 π bonds and 10 electrons.

4n+2=10. So, n=2 (an integer).

So, naphthalene is aromatic…