How do we consider that a p orbital in benzene consists of 6 electrons?

1 Answer
Truong-Son N.
Apr 20, 2018

It does not! No #p# orbital can hold more than two electrons, as per the Pauli Exclusion Principle.

Each #p# orbital on average contains only #1# electron. It delocalizes electron density throughout the ring so that each #pi# interaction shares one electron. That is, the electrons get smeared around the six orbitals evenly.

https://chem.libretexts.org/

The SIX #p# orbitals will contain SIX total #pi# electrons, but each one holds on average one at a time.

https://chem.libretexts.org/

Here is another depiction of that delocalization.

http://www.chemtube3d.com/

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