A student claims that benzene should readily undergo addition reactions because it contains carbon-carbon double bonds. Explain why this claim is incorrect, referring to the structure and stability of benzene in your answer.

Benzene does not contain true, localised C=C double bonds; the π‑electrons are delocalised over all six carbon atoms in the ring.

This delocalisation spreads the electron density and gives benzene extra stability (the aromatic stabilization energy). The ring is therefore more stable than a comparable non‑aromatic compound.

Because of this extra stability, breaking the delocalised π‑system would cost a large amount of energy, so benzene resists addition reactions that would disrupt the ring.

Instead, benzene undergoes substitution reactions, which replace a hydrogen atom but leave the delocalised π‑system intact.

Thus the claim that benzene should readily undergo addition reactions is incorrect because its aromatic structure and stability prevent such reactions.