91Ó°ÊÓ

Resonance is a method to represent delocalized electrons within certain molecules or polyatomic ions when the bonding cannot be concluded by a single Lewis structure.

Resonance occurs when two double bonds are present consecutively or a double bond is followed by a single bond which is followed by another double bond, triple bond, positive charge, negative charge, or a free radical.

Rule 1

Individual resonance forms are imaginary which means they are not real. The real structure is a composite or resonance hybrid of all the different forms together.

Rule 2

Resonance forms differ only in the placement of their or nonbonding electrons. So, the position or the hybridization of an atom doesn’t change.

Rule 3

Different resonance forms of molecules don’t have to be equivalent. It can be converted into its anion by reaction with a strong base. The resultant anion can have resonance forms.

Rule 4

Resonance forms obey normal rules of valency. A resonance form like any other structure has to follow the octet rule.

Rule 5

The resonance hybrid is more stable than any individual resonance form. So, resonance leads to stability. More the number of resonance structures will be stable.

By using the above-mentioned rules we can draw the structure of the compound by delocalizing the double bond present in the molecule.

Resonating structures