MHT CET202613 April 2026Morning ShiftChemistryGeneral Organic ChemistryActual
The cyclic -molecular orbital formed by overlap of p-orbitals must contain,
Options
- A(4n + 2) p electrons.
- B(2n + 2) p electrons.
- C(4n - 2) p electrons.
- D(2n - 2) p electrons.
Correct answer
A. (4n + 2) p electrons.
Step-by-step solution
According to H 00fcckel's rule, a cyclic, planar, and completely conjugated system is highly stable and aromatic if it contains (4n + 2) -electrons, where n is an integer ( 0, 1, 2, ). These -electrons reside in the cyclic -molecular orbital formed by the continuous lateral overlap of unhybridized p-orbitals of the atoms in the ring. Thus, the cyclic -molecular orbital must contain (4n + 2) p electrons for the system to exhibit aromatic stability.