Cyclooctatetraene has the molecular formula and consists of a ring of eight groups with alternating — Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Cyclooctatetraene ($C_8H_8$) possesses 8 $\pi$ electrons. If it were completely planar, it would constitute a $4n$ $\pi$ system ($n=2$), rendering it highly unstable and anti-aromatic. To avoid this severe destabilization, the molecule drastically puckers out of planarity, adopting a stable "tub" conformation. Because it lacks planarity, it disrupts continuous conjugation, classifying it as non-aromatic.