Hi,
I'm struggling to understand why benzene is proven to be more stable when it has a lower enthalpy of hydrogenation (208 kJ mol^-1) value than the theoretical compound cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene (360kJ mol^1).
Surely if the bonds are stronger more energy would be required to break them, so more energy would be released? If that were the case then wouldn't cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene be more stable? We know it isn't but I can't understand why.
I know why benzene is more stable as a structure, but I don't understand how the hydrogenation values support this. Help? :/