Chem 336 - Spring 2000
Organic Chemistry III
Dr. Carl C. Wamser

Molecule of the Week #4

Y2 of the pentadienyl pi system

The dotted line represents a node, which implies that the central carbon is intended as part of the pi system but does not have a contribution in this particular molecular orbital. This would be the HOMO for pentadienyl cation.

1,4-Pentadiene, the most common answer suggested, would typically not be written with a dotted line.