Which one of the following compounds is not aromatic?
(A)(see structure)
(B)(see structure)
(C)(see structure)✓ Correct
(D)(see structure)
Answer: (C)
Solution
A ring is aromatic when it is cyclic, planar, fully conjugated and holds (4n+2)π electrons. Phenol has a benzene ring with six π electrons, the tropylium cation spreads six π electrons over seven carbons, and the cyclopentadienyl anion spreads six π electrons over five carbons, so all three obey Huckel's rule. Cyclooctatetraene has eight π electrons, a 4n count, and escapes the destabilisation of a planar antiaromatic ring by puckering into a tub shape in which neighbouring double bonds are no longer parallel and conjugation is lost. The compound that is not aromatic is cyclooctatetraene.
JEE Main · 2021 · 26 Aug 2021 · Shift 2 · Single correct option