Why Would Crystallographers Not Work on Benzene?

The simplest aromatic compound was benzene, but it was a liquid, and not suitable for X-ray crystallography. However, because all benzene derivatives contained the same core of six carbon atoms, any benzene derivative could be used to find its dimensions.

Why is benzene not reactive?

Benzene does not undergo addition reactions like other unsaturated hydrocarbons, because addition would yield a product that is not aromatic. Substitution of a hydrogen, on the other hand, keeps the aromatic ring intact.

Why benzene is aromatic but not cyclohexane?

Benzene is the parent compound of the large family of organic compounds known as aromatic compounds. Unlike cyclohexane, benzene only contains six hydrogen atoms, giving the impression that the ring is unsaturated and each carbon atom participates in one double bond.