Delocalized Electrons

[Barbara Soliman 1G]

What are delocalized electrons in a Lewis Structure? What are the differences between delocalized and localized electrons?

Thanks!

[205783236]

hi! delocalized electrons are the electrons that don’t really have a single bond they are part of if that makes sense. in class we learned of how nitrate has three possible lewis structures that are possible. each double bond that changes in the three models are the delocalized electrons that dont really belong to a single oxygen if that makes sense.

[amara ajon 1d]

Hi,
Delocalized electrons can be thought of as nonbonding electrons if that makes sense; they're the electrons in a molecule/ion that aren't really associated with any single atom (within a molecule) or bond and can be shared between atoms within a molecule.

[505817975]

What would a localized electron be then?

[205783236]

hi a localized electron I believe is one where it belongs only to a single bond and doesn’t “travel” between multiple elements. usually localized electrons are in molecules that do not have resonance

[Vivek Chotai 2C]

I think a localized electron would just be in a shared electron pair (or bond), between only 2 atoms.

[Elizabeth Kim 2K]

Hi! Localized electrons are electrons that belong to a specific atom/bond in a molecule, while delocalized electrons are not associated with a single atom or a covalent bond in the molecule; therefore, the electrons involved in resonance structures are delocalized. Hope this helps!