Which of the following factors specifically contribute to the highly endothermic nature of the first — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The first step involves breaking the cyclic, delocalized $6\pi$ electron system (resulting in the loss of resonance energy), changing the hybridization of one carbon to $sp^3$, and creating a charged intermediate. The $C-H$ bond is NOT broken in the first step; it is broken in the second (fast, exothermic) step.