Cyclopentadienyl Ions The cation has an empty p two electrons empty in p orbital orbital,4 electrons,so p orbital antiaromatic. The anion has a nonbonding pair of electrons in a porbital,6 e's,aromatic. four electrons six electrons cyclopentadienyl cation cyclopentadienyl anion cyclopentadienyl anion:six pi electrons,aromatic cyclopentadienyl cation:four pi electrons,antiaromatic The resonance picture gives a misleading suggestion of stability. Cyclopentadienyl Ions ❖The cation has an empty p orbital, 4 electrons, so antiaromatic. ❖The anion has a nonbonding pair of electrons in a p orbital, 6 e- ’s, aromatic