The radical is aromatic because it has

Options

A. 7 p-orbitals and seven unpaired electrons
B. 6 p-orbitals and 7 unpaired electrons
C. 6 p-orbitals and 6 unpaired electrons
D. 7 p-orbitals and 7 unpaired electrons

Answer

C

Explanation

6 p-orbitals and 6 unpaired electrons form a cyclic electron cloud containing 6 `pi`, i.e., (4 n +2) `pi`-electons which is responsible for aromatic character. The seventh electron as such has nothing to do with the aromatic character of benzyl radical.