See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

**Solution:** **Step 1: Determine the structure of pyridine** Pyridine is a six-membered aromatic ring with one nitrogen atom at one position. The structure is $C_5H_5N$. **Step 2: Count valence electrons** - Each of 5 carbon atoms contributes 1 electron to the ring system: 5 electrons - Nitrogen atom contributes 2 lone pair electrons (not involved in bonding to H): 2 electrons - Total: $5 + 2 = 7$ electrons Wait, let me reconsider using the π-electron count for aromaticity: **Step 3: Apply Hückel's rule for aromatic systems** Pyridine is aromatic with the structure: - 5 C atoms in the ring each contribute 1 π-electron: 5 electrons - Nitrogen has 1 lone pair in a p-orbital (part of π-system): 1 electron - However, nitrogen also has 1 electron in the π-bonds from its hybridization Actually, the correct approach: - The ring has 6 π-electrons total (from 3 double bonds in the resonance structure) - These 6 electrons are **conjugated** around the aromatic ring **Step 4: Conclusion** Pyridine contains **6 conjugated electrons** (following Hückel's rule: $4n + 2$ where $n = 1$ gives 6 electrons), making it an aromatic compound. **Answer: (A) 6** ✓ The 6 conjugated electrons are distributed in the π-system of the aromatic ring, making pyridine a stable aromatic heterocycle.