Question

Then, compare the shape of each carbon atoms of benzene against the shape of each carbon atoms of cyclohexane. Describe below the differences in their shapes (Are they linear, trigonal planar, or tetrahedral? What are the bond angles?) Make sure to write legible and logical answers that your Coach can understand. (15 points)

Answer 1

Cyclohexane is a non polar organic compound, where each carvon is bonded to two hydrohen and two near by carbon to form a cyclic structure. The carbon atoms in cyclohexane is SP³ hybridised and each carbon has a tetrahedral geometry with a bond angle of 109.5^o . Owing to the hybridisation cyclohexane is not a planar molecule.

On the contrary benzene is a planar molecule, where each carbon is bonded to one hydrogen, two with adjacent carbon, out of which one is a double bond and the other is a single bond. The carbon atoms are SP² hybridised and hence each carbon atom is trigonal planar with a bond angle of 120^o.