NEET 2026
- Exam
- NEET
- Year
- 2026
- Subject
- Chemistry
- Chapter
- Chapter
NEET 2026 · Chemistry · Chapter
Consider the four cyclic species labeled (I) to (IV) in the given...
Consider the four cyclic species labeled (I) to (IV) in the given figure.
According to Huckel's rule, which of the following combinations correctly identifies ONLY the aromatic species?
Options
- AI and III only
- BI, II, and III only
- CII and IV only
- DIII and IV only
Correct answer
A. I and III only
Step-by-step solution
According to Huckel's rule, a species is aromatic if it is cyclic, planar, completely conjugated, and has electrons, where
For species (I), pyrrole: It is a cyclic, planar molecule. The nitrogen atom is hybridized and its lone pair resides in a p-orbital, participating in conjugation. Total electrons = (from two double bonds) (from lone pair) electrons. Since , it follows Huckel's rule and is aromatic.
For species (II), cyclopropenyl anion: It is cyclic and planar. Total electrons = (from double bond) (from negative charge) electrons. Since it has electrons (), it is antiaromatic.
For species (III), tropylium cation: It is a cyclic, planar molecule with complete conjugation due to the empty p-orbital on the positively charged carbon. Total electrons = (from three double bonds). Since , it follows Huckel's rule and is aromatic.
For species (IV), cyclopentadiene: It contains an hybridized carbon atom (), which breaks the continuous conjugation of the ring. Therefore, it is non-aromatic.
Thus, only (I) and (III) are aromatic.
Answer: I and III only
For species (I), pyrrole: It is a cyclic, planar molecule. The nitrogen atom is hybridized and its lone pair resides in a p-orbital, participating in conjugation. Total electrons = (from two double bonds) (from lone pair) electrons. Since , it follows Huckel's rule and is aromatic.
For species (II), cyclopropenyl anion: It is cyclic and planar. Total electrons = (from double bond) (from negative charge) electrons. Since it has electrons (), it is antiaromatic.
For species (III), tropylium cation: It is a cyclic, planar molecule with complete conjugation due to the empty p-orbital on the positively charged carbon. Total electrons = (from three double bonds). Since , it follows Huckel's rule and is aromatic.
For species (IV), cyclopentadiene: It contains an hybridized carbon atom (), which breaks the continuous conjugation of the ring. Therefore, it is non-aromatic.
Thus, only (I) and (III) are aromatic.
Answer: I and III only