The primary difference between benzene and the fictional compound 1,3,5-cyclohexatriene is the bond length. Cyclohexatriene has alternating single and double bonds, and one would expect that the double bonds would be significantly shorter than the single bonds. In benzene, however, all of the bonds are the same length.

Difference between Cyclohexatriene and Benzene

Cyclohexatriene and benzene are both organic compounds that contain a ring of six carbon atoms. However, there are some key differences between these two compounds. Let's explore them in detail.

Structure:
- Cyclohexatriene: Cyclohexatriene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C6H6. It consists of a six-membered carbon ring with alternating single and double bonds. In cyclohexatriene, three of the carbon atoms in the ring have double bonds, while the other three have single bonds.
- Benzene: Benzene is also a six-membered carbon ring with the molecular formula C6H6. However, unlike cyclohexatriene, all the carbon atoms in benzene are bonded to each other by alternating single and double bonds. This unique structure is often represented by a hexagon with a circle inside, indicating that the double bonds are delocalized throughout the ring.

Bonding:
- Cyclohexatriene: In cyclohexatriene, the double bonds are localized, meaning the pi electrons are confined to specific carbon atoms. This results in a higher reactivity compared to benzene. Due to localized pi electrons, cyclohexatriene can undergo addition reactions more readily.
- Benzene: Benzene exhibits a special type of bonding called aromaticity. The pi electrons in the double bonds are delocalized over the entire ring, creating a stable and symmetric structure. This delocalization of electrons gives benzene its characteristic stability and resistance to addition reactions.

Stability:
- Cyclohexatriene: Cyclohexatriene is less stable compared to benzene due to the presence of localized double bonds. The localization of pi electrons leads to higher reactivity and susceptibility to reactions that break the double bonds.
- Benzene: Benzene is highly stable due to its delocalized electron system. The delocalization of pi electrons spreads the negative charge evenly over the ring, minimizing the repulsion between electrons. This stability makes benzene less reactive compared to cyclohexatriene.

Physical Properties:
- Cyclohexatriene: Cyclohexatriene is a colorless liquid with a boiling point of around 79-81°C. It has a characteristic aromatic odor.
- Benzene: Benzene is a colorless liquid with a lower boiling point of 80.1°C. It has a sweet, pleasant odor.

Applications:
- Cyclohexatriene: Cyclohexatriene is not commonly used in industrial applications. However, it is an important intermediate in the synthesis of various organic compounds.
- Benzene: Benzene has numerous industrial applications. It is widely used as a starting material in the production of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and many other chemicals.

In conclusion, the main difference between cyclohexatriene and benzene lies in their structure, bonding, stability, physical properties, and applications. While cyclohexatriene has localized double bonds and higher reactivity, benzene exhibits delocalized bonding and higher stability. Benzene is also more widely used in industrial applications compared to cyclohexatriene.