Benzene shows

Options

A. Substitution
B. Addition
C. Oxidation
D. All of these

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Benzene Structure:**
Benzene is a cyclic compound with the molecular formula C6H6. It consists of six carbon atoms arranged in a ring, with alternating double bonds, which gives it a unique stability due to resonance.

2. **Degree of Unsaturation:**
The degree of unsaturation for benzene is calculated as follows:
- For C6H6, the formula for degree of unsaturation (DU) is given by:
\[ \text{DU} = \frac{(2C + 2 + N - H - X)}{2} \]
where C = number of carbons, H = number of hydrogens, N = number of nitrogens, and X = number of halogens.
- For benzene (C6H6), DU = 4, indicating that it has four degrees of unsaturation, which corresponds to the presence of alternating double bonds in the ring.

3. **Reactivity of Benzene:**
Despite having a high degree of unsaturation, benzene does not readily undergo addition reactions (like those typical of alkenes) due to its stable aromatic structure. Instead, it tends to undergo electrophilic substitution reactions.

4. **Electrophilic Substitution Reaction:**
In electrophilic substitution reactions, an electrophile replaces one of the hydrogen atoms in the benzene ring. This is a characteristic reaction of benzene and its derivatives. Common examples include:
- Nitration (adding a nitro group)
- Sulfonation (adding a sulfonyl group)
- Halogenation (adding a halogen)

5. **Conclusion:**
Therefore, the primary reaction that benzene shows is electrophilic substitution, not addition or oxidation reactions.

**Final Answer:**
Benzene shows electrophilic substitution reactions.

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