Question

Benzene is one of the compounds used as an octane enhancer in unleaded gasoline. It is manufactured by the catalytic conversion of acetylene to benzene:

a) 2C₂H₂ ⟶ C₆H₆
b) 4C₂H₂ ⟶ C₆H₆
c) 3C₂H₂ ⟶ 2C₆H₆
d) 2C₂H₂ ⟶ 3C₆H₆

Answer 1

Catalytic conversion of acetylene to benzene is depicted by the equation 3C₂H₂ ⇒ C₆H₆. Acetylene carbon atoms are sp-hybridized, whereas benzene carbon atoms are sp²-hybridized with delocalized π-electrons, illustrating their hybridization and resonance in benzene's stable structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process of catalytic conversion of acetylene to benzene, an octane enhancer for unleaded gasoline, is represented by the chemical equation 3C₂H₂ ⇒ C₆H₆. Drawing the Lewis structures of acetylene and benzene with resonance structures for benzene showcases the bonding and hybridization of the carbon atoms within these molecules.

Acetylene (C₂H₂) has a triple bond between two carbon atoms, making the carbon atoms sp-hybridized. Benzene (C₆H₆) has a hexagonal ring structure with alternating single and double bonds showing resonance; this stabilization contributes to benzene's use as an octane enhancer. All the carbon atoms in benzene are sp²-hybridized as they are part of the planar hexagonal ring structure with a bond angle of approximately 120 degrees, indicating trigonal planar geometry. Each carbon atom in benzene forms three sigma bonds and has one unhybridized p-orbital, which overlaps with the p-orbitals of adjacent carbon atoms to form a delocalized π-electron system.