In the non-conjugated cyclic diene formed by the Birch reduction of an unsubstituted benzene ring (1 β Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question
Question
In the non-conjugated cyclic diene formed by the Birch reduction of an unsubstituted benzene ring (1,4-cyclohexadiene), how many of the carbon atoms in the resulting ring are $sp^2$ hybridized?
Answer: 4
π‘ Solution & Explanation
The Birch reduction of benzene yields 1,4-cyclohexadiene. This molecule contains a six-membered ring with two isolated (non-conjugated) double bonds. The four carbon atoms involved in these two double bonds remain $sp^2$ hybridized. The other two carbon atoms on opposite sides of the ring (positions 3 and 6) have been reduced and are now $sp^3$ hybridized.
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