Final answer:
Benzene, C₆H₆, has 6 electrons involved in pi bonding, which are delocalized around the hexagonal ring. These electrons come from three pi bonds that contribute to benzene's unique bonding structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks: How many electrons are involved in pi bonding in benzene, C₆H₆? The correct answer is that 6 electrons are involved in pi bonding in benzene. Each benzene molecule consists of six carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal ring with alternating single and double bonds, which are the result of overlap of p-orbitals above and below the plane of the ring. However, in reality, these bonds are delocalized, meaning the electrons in the double bonds are not confined to a single pair of carbon atoms but are free to move around the entire ring structure.
Benzene's delocalized pi bonding can be represented by a hexagonal ring with a circle inside it, indicating that the pi electrons are evenly distributed over the ring. Each carbon atom in benzene is sp² hybridized, and there are three delocalized pi bonds (one from each double bond in the traditional Kekulé structure), each consisting of two electrons, totaling 6 pi electrons.