Question:

Which of the following is an aromatic compound?

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Apply Huckel's rule: a planar, cyclic, fully conjugated ring with \((4n+2)\,\pi\) electrons is aromatic.
Updated On: Nov 4, 2026
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Aromatic = cyclic + planar + fully conjugated (every ring atom sp2/p-orbital) + \((4n+2)\pi\) electrons.
Option (1), cyclopentadienyl anion: all 5 carbons are sp2 (two C=C give 4 \(\pi\) electrons and the carbanion lone pair adds 2), total 6 \(\pi\) electrons, so \(n=1\): aromatic.
Option (2): one C=C and two carbanion centres, but one ring carbon is an sp3 \(CH_2\), so conjugation is not continuous: not aromatic.
Option (3): cyclopentadiene has an sp3 \(CH_2\) in the ring: not aromatic.
Option (4): cyclopentadienyl cation has only 4 \(\pi\) electrons (\(4n\) type): anti-aromatic.
Answer: (1) cyclopentadienyl anion
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