Degenerate orbitals

Definition

Degenerate orbitals are orbitals within an atom or molecule that have the same energy level but different spatial orientations. In the context of benzene and its aromaticity, these orbitals play a crucial role in stabilizing the molecule through delocalized electrons.

Related terms

Aromaticity:

The property of cyclic molecules with conjugated pi electron systems that leads to unusual stability due to electron delocalization.

Delocalized Electrons: Electrons in a molecule that are not associated with a single atom or bond but are spread over several atoms, contributing to stability, as seen in benzene.

Pi Bond:

A type of covalent bond formed by sideways overlap of atomic orbitals, containing one or more pairs of electrons localized above and below the plane of the atoms involved in the bond