# 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.

> Eduqas A-Level Chemistry — 4.2 Aromaticity · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Benzene does not have true/localised carbon-carbon double bonds
2. The electrons are delocalised / spread across all six carbon atoms in the ring
3. This delocalisation makes benzene more stable than expected / gives extra stability
4. Because of this stability, benzene resists reactions that would break the delocalised system
5. Benzene undergoes substitution reactions instead, which preserve the delocalised ring

## Key terms

- [addition reaction](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/addition-reaction)
- [stability](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/stability)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Chemistry](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-claims-that-benzene-should-5487be73) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.