Shown below is the MO energy diagram of a cyclooctatetraene derivative. Does the MO energy diagram correspond to a stable or unstable configuration? Provide a brief explanation for your answer.

• A. The MO energy diagram corresponds to a stable configuration because the non-bonding molecular orbitals are empty.
• B. The MO energy diagram corresponds to a stable configuration because all electrons in bonding molecular orbitals are paired.
• C. The MO energy diagram corresponds to an unstable configuration because two electrons are located in two different nonbonding orbitals, indicating a diradical character.
• D. The MO energy diagram corresponds to an unstable configuration because all bonding molecular orbitals are filled with electrons.

Answer: (C)