∴ Heat of hydrogenation of cyclohaxene =−119.5 kJ/mol ∴ Heat of hydrogenation of benzene =3×−119.5=−358.5 kJ/mol Resonance energy = Observed ΔH− Calculated ΔH =−150.4=−358.5−x x=−208.1 kJ Related Theory The energy calculated for a resonance hybrid is lower than the energies of any of the alternative structures; the molecule is then said to be stabilized by resonance.