Final answer:
A molecule is considered aromatic only if it has the correct number of π electrons, as per Huckel's rule, and it is also planar. Without planarity, even with the correct electron count, a molecule cannot be aromatic as it fails to support the necessary delocalization of electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine whether a molecule is aromatic, two key criteria must be met: the molecule must have a certain number of electrons and it must be planar. A molecule that contains a 'huckle number' of electrons, adhering to Huckel's rule, which posits that an aromatic compound must have a total of 4n+2 conjugated π (pi) electrons (where n is a non-negative integer), does fulfill the electronic requirement for aromaticity. However, the molecular structure also needs to be planar to enable the delocalization of π electrons across the ring system, which is a defining characteristic of aromatic compounds like benzene.
If the molecule is not planar, even with the correct number of π electrons, it cannot be considered aromatic. This planarity is necessary because it allows the π orbitals to overlap properly, maintaining a continuous loop of delocalized electrons which grants the molecule its enhanced stability. Therefore, a non-planar molecule, regardless of its π electron count, does not meet the criteria for aromaticity and is not aromatic.