Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Tropylium Ion
The tropylium ion is a positively charged aromatic ion derived from toluene. It consists of a seven-membered carbon ring with a positive charge on one of the carbon atoms, making it a stable resonance structure. The aromatic nature of the ring contributes to its stability, allowing it to participate in various chemical reactions.
Cyclopentadiene
Cyclopentadiene is a five-membered cyclic compound with two double bonds. It is known for its ability to form a stable anion when deprotonated, which is crucial for understanding its reactivity. The cyclopentadienyl anion, formed from cyclopentadiene, is a key building block in organic synthesis and coordination chemistry.
Sodium Cyclopentadienide
Sodium cyclopentadienide is the sodium salt of the cyclopentadienyl anion, formed by deprotonating cyclopentadiene with sodium. This compound is a strong nucleophile and is often used in organic synthesis to form new carbon-carbon bonds. Its reactivity is largely due to the stability of the cyclopentadienyl anion, which can participate in various electrophilic substitution reactions.