Final answer:
The statement that only neutral compounds can be aromatic is false. Aromatic compounds can include ions like the cyclopentadienyl anion and tropylium cation, which are charged yet aromatic due to their electronic structure and ring stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that only neutral compounds can be aromatic is false. Aromaticity refers to a specific type of chemical stability related to the structure and bonding of certain organic compounds. Aromatic compounds contain a benzene ring or have similar properties, characterized by a ring of six carbon atoms with alternating single and double bonds. Importantly, an aromatic system does not have to be neutral; there are positively and negatively charged aromatic systems known as aromatic ion.
Examples of charged aromatic compounds include the cyclopentadienyl anion (C5H5−) which contains a negative charge but is aromatic due to its ring structure following Hückel's rule, and the tropylium cation (C7H7+) which is positively charged and aromatic as well. Lastly, historical use of the term 'aromatic' due to distinctive aromas is now outdated and should not be confused with the modern chemical definition of aromaticity based on structure and electronic configuration.