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Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Preparation of a Corannulene-functionalized Hexahelicene by CopperI-catalyzed Alkyne-azide Cycloaddition of Nonplanar Polyaromatic Units
Published on: September 18, 2016
Particle on a Ring Model for Teaching the Origin of the Aromatic Stabilization Energy and the Hückel and Baird Rules
Miquel Solà1, F Matthias Bickelhaupt2,3
1Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, C/Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, 17003 Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
Abstract:
Simple mathematical models can serve to reveal the essence of experimental phenomena and scientific concepts. The particle in a box (PIB), for example, is widely used in undergraduate programs to teach the quantum mechanical principles behind the UV-vis spectra of conjugated polyenes and polyynes. In this work, the particle on a ring (POR) and the PIB models are used to elucidate the concept of aromaticity in Introductory Chemistry courses. Thus, we explain the origin of the aromatic stabilization energy, Hückel's rule, and Baird's rule. Besides applications, the limitations of the POR and PIB models are also discussed.
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