# The structure of benzene

- kind: problem
- status: solved (evidence tier V3)
- year: 1825

**Statement.** How are benzene's six carbon atoms arranged, and why is it so stable?

Kekulé's ring of alternating bonds explained the formula but not the unusual stability. Quantum mechanics explained it: the electrons are shared around the whole ring. The idea of aromaticity became a pillar of organic chemistry.

*Evidence tier V3 is the import default for a result the curation records as settled in the published record. No formal proof or certificate is attached to this page yet.*

Closed 1865, August Kekulé; 1931, Linus Pauling's resonance and Erich Hückel's orbitals.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Benzene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene)

[Molecules of life](/wiki/Space:molecules-of-life.md) · [Chemistry and matter](/wiki/Continent:chemistry.md)

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