Delocalization

[Brandon Tao 1K]

What does it mean for an electron in resonance structures to be delocalized?

[Lauren Bui 1E]

I think it refers to electrons that are not paired with a single atom or covalent bond.

[Robert Cross 1A]

It means that one or more of the electrons in a molecule's bond is not strictly limited to being shared between two atoms. I see "delocalized" as meaning it is a rogue electron (i.e. it moves between the atoms more fluidly/is not strictly limited to one bonding pair of atoms). This can be seen in the formation of benzene, and I think if you were to search "benzene delocalization of electrons" you could find videos that would go more in depth on the topic.

[Ethan Low 1L]

Delocalized electrons are electrons in a molecule, ion or solid metal that are not associated with a single atom or a covalent bond. Looking online it seems that delocalization can have slightly different meanings in different fields." In organic chemistry, this refers to resonance in conjugated systems and aromatic compounds. In solid-state physics, this refers to free electrons that facilitate electrical conduction. In quantum chemistry, this refers to molecular orbital electrons that have extended over several adjacent atoms."

[Jordan Ziegler 2J]

When a molecule has two or more possible structures, it will form a resonance hybrid. This means that bonds will change around a molecule at a pace such that recorded bond length will reach an average of all resonance hybrids (with those with the least energy dominating the average).

Delocalized electrons move quickly between atoms to uphold these resonance hybrids, so they aren't restricted to any specific atom.

[805097738]

if they are delocalized they can move about the atoms when needed and don't have a strictly defined location

[JinwooLee_1F]

Delocalized electrons are like the ones we saw during resonance. Since these electrons are not strictly associated with a single atom, they move freely. This is why NO3 has distance between single and double bond.