2.3.4
Resonance Structures
Resonance Structures
Resonance Structures
In structures with multiple bonds and when more than one Lewis structure can be drawn for the same molecule, the true structure is best represented by a resonance hybrid.


Resonance
Resonance
- Resonance shows the delocalisation of electrons in a molecule and this needs to be considered when more than one Lewis structure can be drawn for the same molecule.
- None of the Lewis structures drawn represents the true structure and the electron density is averaged over all positions.
- The delocalisation of electrons gives more space for the electrons to move and molecules with resonance structures are more stable as a consequence.
- This higher stability is known as resonance stability.
- Resonance occurs in structures with multiple bonds.


Example: Ozone
Example: Ozone
- The Lewis structure of ozone can be represented by the two diagrams above.
- The two structures can be interconverted by moving the non-bonding electron domain across from one oxygen to the other.
- Neither of these structures is the true structure and ozone is best represented by a resonance hybrid structure.
- This is supported by the bond lengths and strengths, which are consistent with a bond order of 1.5.


Example: Carbonate ion
Example: Carbonate ion
- Three resonance structures can be drawn for the carbonate ion and the bond order is best described as 1.3.


Example: Nitrate ion
Example: Nitrate ion
- Three resonance structures can be drawn for the nitrate ion and the bond order is best described as 1.3.


Example: Carboxylate ion
Example: Carboxylate ion
- On removing a proton from a carboxylic acid, a carboxylate ion is formed in which the two carbon-oxygen bonds become equivalent and can be considered to have a bond order of 1.5.


Example: Benzene
Example: Benzene
- An important example with delocalised electrons is benzene.
- In benzene, the π-bonds are shared equally between the six positions.
Graphene
Graphene
Graphene is an important example where its structure, containing delocalised electrons, confers very useful properties.


Graphene
Graphene
- Graphene is a recently discovered allotrope of carbon, which is related to the structure of graphite with just one layer of atoms.
 2.3.3.1 - The structure of graphene-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
 2.3.3.1 - The structure of graphene-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Graphene structure
Graphene structure
- Each carbon atom bonds with three others to give a hexagon.
- Each carbon is sp2 hybridized.
- Each carbon atom has a spare electron, which is delocalised around the whole structure.
- This structure is often described as a honeycomb structure.


Properties
Properties
- Excellent conductor
- Very strong, but also very light
- Transparent


Applications
Applications
- Drug delivery in carbon nanotubes
- Electronics
- Touch screens
- Photovoltaics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Jump to other topics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
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