Benzene

[Diproton]

Benzene forms the electron shell configuration of two rings of electrons, parallel to the molecule, shown here http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Benzene_Orbitals.svg/750px-Benzene_Orbitals.svg.png

so my question is, if an electron beam is run through the center of the benzene, would the resultant magnetic field cause the electrons to flow in a systematic way in the ring?

[Mattenerinfo]

This actually seems like a viable theory at first, although I am unsure how the electrons would flow stability wise, as the ring structure you mention is not in fact a perfect ring. However you could influence the electron trend.

An interesting question to pose is, if you go the electrons to flow in a specific way, what would happen if the electron beam stopped an a second beam going the opposite way through the benzene molecule started. Theoretically the exact opposite force would be applied to the electrons.

[alxm]

It's not only a viable theory, but a well-known phenomenon called aromatic ring current (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromatic_ring_current).

[Mattenerinfo]

Then reversal of the flow could theoretically apply exact opposing force to all of the electrons.

[weejee]

The two rings of a delocalized orbital are not separate entities, just as two lobes of a single p-orbital are not separate. I think the figure describing the delocalized orbital is a little exaggerated. Two rings should meet at each carbon site in the same way as the lobes of their constituent p_z orbitals do.