The reaction of cyclopentadiene with sodium metal rapidly evolves hydrogen gas and generates a highl — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Cyclopentadiene loses a proton to form the cyclopentadienyl anion. The ring possesses two double bonds (4 $\pi$ -electrons) and one carbanionic carbon which donates its lone pair (2 electrons) into the parallel p-orbital network, creating an aromatic sextet of exactly 6 $\pi$ -electrons.