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The structure of benzene

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

Molecules of life · Chemistry and matter

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