What is anulene?

Anulene is a planar, cyclic, and aromatic hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C6H6. It is also known as benzoannulene or cyclotriene due to it being a three-membered ring. Anulene is classified as an antiaromatic compound because it has 4n pi-electrons, where n is an odd integer. It is a highly reactive compound due to its antiaromaticity. Anulene and its derivatives exhibit a wide range of applications in organic synthesis and materials science. Its derivatives have been used in medicinal chemistry as anticancer agents, antiviral agents, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Anulene can also be obtained synthetically by the Diels-Alder reaction between benzene and butadiene.