Ladenburg, Albert benzene structure

For a time the prism formula VI, proposed in 1869 by Albert Ladenburg of Germany, was considered as a possible structure for benzene, on the grounds that it would yield one monosubstitution product and three isomeric disubstitution products. 

Ladenburg benzene An (erroneous) structure for benzene proposed by Albert Ladenburg (1842-1911), in which the six carbon atoms were arranged at the comers of a triangular prism and linked by single bonds to each other and to the six hydrogen atoms. 

Although these criticisms might seem to us to be very serious, to the chemists of the day the hexagonal structure for benzene solved so many problems that it was widely accepted. The reason for the equivalence of the carbon-carbon bonds and for the lack of reactivity remained matters for speculation, but the fundamental concept of the hexagonal ring encountered little opposition. The only serious alternative was the prism formula of Albert Ladenburg (1842-1911), but, while this... 

Ladenburg benzene An incorrect structure for BENZENE in which the six carbon atoms are at the corners of a triangular prism. It is named for Albert Ladenburg (1842-1911). The actual compound, known as prismane, was synthesized in 1973. 

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