JEE Challenger
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Count of Aromatic Molecules Among Given Structures

Determine the total number of aromatic compounds among the structures shown below:

Question Diagram 1
Official Numerical Answer5

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine the total number of aromatic compounds among the given structures, we apply Hückel's Rule for aromaticity. A compound is classified as aromatic if:

  1. It is cyclic.
  2. It is planar (or nearly planar) allowing continuous overlap of pp-orbitals.
  3. It has a completely conjugated π\pi-electron system.
  4. It contains (4n+2)(4n + 2) π\pi-electrons, where n=0,1,2,3,…n = 0, 1, 2, 3, \dots

Additionally, any compound containing an aromatic moiety (such as a benzene ring) is classified as an aromatic compound.


Detailed Analysis of Each Structure:

  1. Cyclooctatetraene (C8H8\text{C}_8\text{H}_8):

    • It possesses 8π8\pi electrons (4n4n electrons for n=2n=2).
    • To avoid the instability of being antiaromatic, it adopts a non-planar (tub-shaped) conformation.
    • Classification: Non-aromatic
  2. Cyclopropenyl anion (C3H3−\text{C}_3\text{H}_3^-):

    • Contains 4π4\pi electrons (2π2\pi from the double bond + 2π2\pi from the negative charge).
    • It is planar and fully conjugated, conforming to the 4n4n rule (n=1n=1).
    • Classification: Antiaromatic
  3. Cyclopropenyl cation (C3H3+\text{C}_3\text{H}_3^+):

    • Contains 2π2\pi electrons.
    • Follows Hückel's rule for n=0n=0: 4(0)+2=2π4(0) + 2 = 2\pi electrons.
    • It is cyclic, planar, and fully conjugated.
    • Classification: Aromatic
  4. 1,3-Cyclohexadiene:

    • Contains two sp3sp^3-hybridized carbon atoms in the ring, interrupting continuous conjugation around the cycle.
    • Classification: Non-aromatic
  5. Cycloheptatrienyl cation (Tropylium cation, C7H7+\text{C}_7\text{H}_7^+):

    • Contains 6π6\pi electrons across 7 sp2sp^2-hybridized carbon atoms.
    • Follows Hückel's rule for n=1n=1: 4(1)+2=6π4(1) + 2 = 6\pi electrons.
    • It is cyclic, planar, and fully conjugated.
    • Classification: Aromatic
  6. Cyclopentadienyl cation (C5H5+\text{C}_5\text{H}_5^+):

    • Contains 4π4\pi electrons in a planar, fully conjugated ring.
    • Follows the 4n4n rule (n=1n=1).
    • Classification: Antiaromatic
  7. Cyclopentadienyl anion (C5H5−\text{C}_5\text{H}_5^-):

    • Contains 6π6\pi electrons (4π4\pi from double bonds + 2π2\pi from the lone pair/negative charge).
    • Follows Hückel's rule for n=1n=1: 4(1)+2=6π4(1) + 2 = 6\pi electrons.
    • It is cyclic, planar, and fully conjugated.
    • Classification: Aromatic
  8. 1,2-Dihydronaphthalene:

    • Consists of a benzene ring fused to a partially unsaturated 6-membered ring.
    • Since it contains a intact 6π6\pi-electron benzene ring system, the molecule is a benzenoid aromatic compound.
    • Classification: Aromatic
  9. Phenanthrene (C14H10\text{C}_{14}\text{H}_{10}):

    • Consists of three fused benzene rings with a completely conjugated system containing 14π14\pi electrons.
    • Follows Hückel's rule for n=3n=3: 4(3)+2=14π4(3) + 2 = 14\pi electrons.
    • Classification: Aromatic

Conclusion:

The aromatic compounds among the given structures are:

  1. Cyclopropenyl cation
  2. Cycloheptatrienyl cation
  3. Cyclopentadienyl anion
  4. 1,2-Dihydronaphthalene
  5. Phenanthrene

The total number of aromatic compounds is 5.