Among the following which is correct ?

Options

A. Both cyclopentadienyl anion and benzene are aromatic and have the same stability.
B. Benzene is aromatic and more stable than cyclopentadienyl anion and it is nonaromatic.
C. Both cyclopentadienyl anion and benzene are aromatic, but benzene is more stable than cyclipentadienyl anion.
D. Cycloptentadienyl anion is more stable than benzene althrough both are aromatic.

Explanation

To determine which statement is correct regarding the aromaticity and stability of cyclopentadienyl anion and benzene, we will analyze both compounds step by step.

### Step 1: Understanding Aromaticity
A compound is considered aromatic if it meets the following criteria:
1. It must be cyclic.
2. It must be planar.
3. It must follow Huckel's rule, which states that it must have \(4n + 2\) π electrons, where \(n\) is a non-negative integer.

### Step 2: Analyzing Cyclopentadienyl Anion
- **Structure**: Cyclopentadienyl anion is a cyclic compound with 5 carbon atoms.
- **Electrons**: It has 6 π electrons (due to the presence of a negative charge contributing an extra electron).
- **Planarity**: The structure is planar.
- **Aromaticity**: Since it has 6 π electrons, it satisfies Huckel's rule (where \(n = 1\) gives \(4(1) + 2 = 6\)). Therefore, cyclopentadienyl anion is aromatic.

### Step 3: Stability of Cyclopentadienyl Anion
- **Charge**: The presence of a negative charge makes cyclopentadienyl anion less stable compared to a neutral compound. The negative charge introduces strain and instability.

### Step 4: Analyzing Benzene
- **Structure**: Benzene is a cyclic compound with 6 carbon atoms.
- **Electrons**: It has 6 π electrons.
- **Planarity**: Benzene is planar.
- **Aromaticity**: It satisfies Huckel's rule (where \(n = 1\) gives \(4(1) + 2 = 6\)). Therefore, benzene is aromatic.

### Step 5: Stability of Benzene
- **Charge**: Benzene is a neutral molecule, which generally makes it more stable than charged species. It does not have the strain associated with a negative charge.

### Step 6: Comparing Stability
- **Conclusion**: Both cyclopentadienyl anion and benzene are aromatic, but benzene is more stable than cyclopentadienyl anion due to the absence of a negative charge.

### Step 7: Evaluating the Options
Now, let's evaluate the provided options based on our analysis:
1. **Both are aromatic and both have the same stability**: Incorrect (they are aromatic, but stability is different).
2. **Benzene is aromatic and more stable than cyclopentadienyl anion, and it is non-aromatic**: Incorrect (benzene is aromatic).
3. **Both cyclopentadienyl anion and benzene are aromatic, but benzene is more stable than cyclopentadienyl anion**: Correct.
4. **Cyclopentadienyl is more stable**: Incorrect (it has a negative charge which makes it less stable).

### Final Answer
The correct option is: **Both cyclopentadienyl anion and benzene are aromatic, but benzene is more stable than cyclopentadienyl anion.**

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