Ratio of Sigma and Pi Bonds in Benzene

What is the Ratio of Sigma and Pi Bonds in Benzene?

Six carbon-carbon (sp2-sp2) sigma bonds, six carbon-hydrogen (sp2 – s) sigma bonds, and three carbon-carbon (p-p) sigma bonds make up one molecule of benzene. Therefore the ratio of sigma and pi bonds in benzene is 2:1

In most organic compounds, all atom-to-atom links comprise one sigma bond apiece. If it’s a single bond, only the sigma bond is present. Sigma and pi bonds, on the other hand, are found in multiple bonds (double and triple). Triple bonds have one sigma and two pi bonds, while double bonds have one sigma bond and two pi bonds. Every C-C connection has a sigma bond. Each carbon is also sigma connected to a hydrogen atom in benzene, a molecule with six carbon atoms bonded to create a six-member ring (imagine hexagon) (which points out from the ring). In these sigma binding configurations, each carbon is SP2 hybridised, making the entire molecule planar. The 120 degree produced by SP2 hybridization is ideal for a hexagonal ring (which is why benzene is nicely stable). 

In an “alternating pattern,” each carbon atom likewise engages in a pi connection with the other carbon atom. The electrons in the pi bond can hop around inside the network. Because the electrons are delocalized, benzene is often denoted with a hexagon and a circle inside rather than the double bond notation. 

Consider a sheet of benzene rings that are all connected and share each side of the hexagon with another hexagon (similar to a honeycomb arrangement) — this is an allotrope of carbon called graphite. The delocalized pi electrons easily move around within this web of benzene rings, which is why graphite conducts electricity so well compared to diamond.