Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R 
Assertion (A) : Benzene is more stable than hypothetical cyclohexatriene 
Reason (R) : The delocalised π-electrons cloud is attracted more strongly by the nuclei of the carbon atoms than the electron cloud localised between two carbon atoms.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the true explanation of (A)
• B. (A) is false but (R) is true
• C. (A) is true but (R) is false
• D. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the true explanation of (A)

Hint:

Resonance stabilization and delocalization of π electrons provide benzene with extra stability compared to hypothetical cyclohexatriene.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Assertion (A): Benzene is more stable than hypothetical cyclohexatriene because of resonance stabilization. The delocalization of π electrons in benzene creates extra stability compared to isolated double bonds in cyclohexatriene.
Reason (R): The delocalized π electron cloud in benzene forms a bonding molecular orbital (BMO), which is strongly attracted by the nuclei of the carbon atoms, resulting in additional stabilization.
Since the reason explains the assertion, both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.