What is an aromatic compound?

1 Answer

An aromatic compound is a COMPOUND that is 1) cyclic, 2) planar, and 3) has a conjugated π system containing 4n+2 π electrons (n = whole number).

Explanation:

How to know whether a compound is aromatic or not?

i.stack.imgur.com

Every π bond is counted as 2 electrons.

Here there is a planar ring with 3 π bonds, and each has two electrons.

So we have (4n+2) π electrons (n = 1). The compound is aromatic.

A negative charge is counted as 2 electrons.
A positive charge is to be counted as 0 electrons.

www2.chemistry.msu.edu

The 3-membered cation is aromatic because it has 4n + 2 = 2 π electrons (n = 0).

The 5-membered anion is aromatic because it has 4n + 2 = 6 π electrons (n = 1).

The 7-membered cation is aromatic because it has 4n + 2 = 6 π electrons (n = 1).