Question:medium

Which of the following lacks aromatic properties?

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\[ \begin{aligned} 6\pi,\;10\pi,\;14\pi &\rightarrow \text{Aromatic} \\ 4\pi,\;8\pi,\;12\pi &\rightarrow \text{Antiaromatic} \end{aligned} \] For aromaticity, the system must be: \[ \boxed{\text{Cyclic + Planar + Conjugated + }(4n+2)\pi} \]
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
  • Fig A
  • Fig B
  • Fig C
  • Fig D
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall the aromatic test.
A ring is aromatic if it is cyclic, flat, fully conjugated and carries $(4n+2)$ pi electrons. If instead it has $4n$ pi electrons, it is antiaromatic and lacks aromatic character.

Step 2: How to read the figures.
Since this is a figure-based question, look at each ring drawn and count its pi electrons (each double bond gives $2$, a lone pair in a $p$ orbital gives $2$, an empty $p$ orbital gives $0$).

Step 3: The aromatic species.
Rings such as the cyclopentadienyl anion have $6$ pi electrons ($4n+2$ with $n=1$), so they are aromatic. The benzene-type ring with $6$ pi electrons is also aromatic.

Step 4: Spot the odd one.
The ring that has $4$ pi electrons (for example a cyclobutadiene-type or cyclopentadienyl cation-type ring) fits $4n$ with $n=1$, so it is antiaromatic.

Step 5: Apply the conclusion.
The species with $4$ pi electrons is the one that lacks aromatic properties, which is Fig C.

Step 6: State the answer.
So the non-aromatic choice is Fig C.
\[ \boxed{\text{Fig C}} \]
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