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cyclohexane to benzene

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:32 am
by saz336
I've been given this question:
Cyclohexane -3H2 => Benzene (the structures were drawn in the question)
Loss of hydrogen is usually an unfavourable energetic reaction.
Why is it in this case not energetically unfavourable?

I know it is something to do with the Benzene ring and resonance energy, but I can't work out the answer.
Please help - I've been struggling with this for over a week now and its affecting my other work.

Re: cyclohexane to benzene

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:02 pm
by deleted-71588
How is this releated to a Science Fair project? The purpose of "Ask the Experts" forum is to help students with Science Fair projects.

I'm not familiar with this chemical reaction. The common use and related reaction is the other direction. Cyclohexane is produced by reacting hydrogen with benzene.

Re: cyclohexane to benzene

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:21 pm
by deleted-71882
I think that your problem lies in understanding "resonance." Consult your textbooks and/or use web resources to figure it out. One such resource is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonance_%28chemistry%29