Antiaromaticity unlocks Azulene's blue light magic

Azulene is a fascinating molecule that exhibits a unique blue color.

This color is due to azulene's unusual electronic properties, which are a result of its antiaromaticity.

Aromaticity is a property of certain molecules that makes them stable and unreactive.

Aromaticity is associated with a ring of conjugated pi electrons, which means that the electrons are delocalized around the ring.

Antiaromaticity, on the other hand, is a property of molecules that have a ring of conjugated pi electrons, but the electrons are not delocalized evenly.

This makes antiaromatic molecules unstable and reactive.

Azulene is antiaromatic because it has a ring of conjugated pi electrons, but the ring is not planar.

This means that the electrons are not delocalized evenly, and the molecule is unstable.

However, azulene's antiaromaticity also gives it its unique blue color.