The overlapping of orbitals in benzene is of the type

Options

A. `sp^(2)-sp^(2)`
B. `sp^(3)-sp^(3)`
C. `sp-sp`
D. p-p

Answer

D

Explanation

According to molecular orbital theory of benezene , each carbon atom is `sp^(2)` hybridized with a bond angle of `120^(@)` . There are six `2p_(z)` atomic orbitals (one on each carbon atom) which are parallel to each other but are perpendicular to the plane of the ring and project above and below the plane

Each `p_(z)` orbital interacts equally with its two neighbours procucing a circular double - doughnut shaped molecular orbital embracing all six carbon atoms and thus six `pi` - electrons are delocalized.