𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐞

To draw the alternating resonance structures of benzene, we represent the delocalized pi electrons. Step 1: Draw the first resonance structure. This is a hexagon representing the six carbon atoms, with alternating single and double bonds. Each carbon atom also has one hydrogen atom attached (though these are often omitted in skeletal structures). Step 2: Draw the second resonance structure. In this structure, the positions of the single and double bonds are swapped. The double bonds in the first structure become single bonds in the second, and the single bonds become double bonds. Step 3: Use a double-headed arrow (⇌) between the two structures to indicate that they are resonance contributors. This shows that the actual structure of benzene is a hybrid of these two forms, with the pi electrons delocalized over the entire ring. The two resonance structures are: Structure 1: A hexagon with double bonds between C1-C2, C3-C4, and C5-C6. ⇌ Structure 2: A hexagon with double bonds between C2-C3, C4-C5, and C6-C1. The delocalized electrons are often represented by a circle inside the hexagon, indicating that the pi electrons are spread evenly around the ring, rather than being localized between specific pairs of carbon atoms.