Question

What is the shape of benzene, and what hybridization do you expect for each carbon?

Benzene

Short answer

Hybridization of carbon in benzene

Step-by-step solution

Benzene

Benzene is an aromatic organic compound with a molecular formula C₆H₈. As it has carbon and hydrogen atoms attached it is referred to as a hydrocarbon.

Hybridization and bond angle in benzene

Benzene is made up of carbon atoms which are all hybridized and form bond angles. Since all the carbon atoms have a trigonal planar geometry, they make bonds on a single plane.

Illustration of benzene orbitals

As, a result, benzene is a planar (flat) molecule.The hybridization of carbons in benzene is depicted as

Hybridization of carbon in benzene