DELOCALIZED ELECTRONS AND

RESONANCE STRUCTURES
Prof. Evangelina B. Mora
Department of Physical Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Cavite State University
Indang, Cavite
Localized Electrons
Electrons that are restricted to a particular region are called localized
electrons. Localized electrons either belong to a single atom or are
confined to a bond between two atoms.
Delocalized Electrons
Not all electrons are confined to a single atom or bond. Many organic
compounds contain delocalized electrons. Delocalized electrons neither
belong to a single atom nor are confined to a bond between two atoms
but are shared by three or more atoms.
Delocalized Electrons
Resonance Theory

In resonance structures, one structure can be

converted to another on paper via the movement of
electrons (and therefore changing bonds) with the
atoms still in the same arrangement in 3-space and
obeying conservation of charge.
Resonance Theory

To show the movement of electrons, a curved arrow is

drawn with the tail of the arrow beginning at the current
position of the electron pair and the head of the arrow
pointed to where the electron pair will be in the next
structure
Resonance Theory
Resonance structures are not real representations of the actual
molecule (not an equilibrium state)

The actual molecule is a hybrid of all resonance contributors.

A double-headed arrow, ↔, is used to equate resonance

structures.
Resonance Theory
To depict a hybrid structure, both solid lines and
dashed lines are used for bonds where the dashed
lines indicate the superimposed bonds of the
resonance contributors.

Partial charges, δ, are also used.

Resonance Theory
The energy of the resonance hybrid is lower than the
energy of any contributing structure.

Resonance structures stabilize a molecule or ion,

especially when the resonance structures are
equivalent and is known as resonance stabilization.
Resonance Theory

The more stable an individual resonance contributor is

on its own, the greater its contribution to the overall
hybrid structure.
Resonance Structures
Resonance Structures
Resonance Structures
Resonance Structures
Resonance Structures
Resonance Structures
Resonance Structures
Resonance Structures