Electrons in Resonance [ENDORSED]

[Katie_Ho_1M]

When there is resonance in a compound, do the electrons travel around to create those different bonds or is it in a state of somewhere in between?

[Shirley_Zhang 3O]

The electrons are in the state of somewhere in between.

[Catherine_L_1C]

Hi Katie,
To add onto what Shirley said, electrons in a resonance structure are considered to be "delocalized." Basically what that means is that they're not considered to be associated with any one atom or bond, and are in a "state of somewhere in between." This electron and charge delocalization also lead to a more stable structure by spreading energy over a larger area rather than concentrating it in a smaller area, thus lowering its potential energy .

[Diana_Visco_1l]

In regards to resonance structures, what factors determine which atoms/ions exhibit the greatest resonance stabilization?

[Chem_Mod]

In regards to resonance structures, what factors determine which atoms/ions exhibit the greatest resonance stabilization?

For cationically charged molecules, in general the form that has the positive charge residing on the more electropositive atoms will be more stable, and the same goes for anionically charged molecules, where generally the more stable forms will have the negative charge residing on the more electronegative atoms. This is first assuming that all atoms have achieved an octet.