Delocalized vs. Localized

[505739628]

Hi! What is the difference between delocalized and localized electrons?

[Amanda Pineda 3H]

Delocalized electrons are electrons in a resonance structure. The electrons are spread amongst the bonds of a resonance structure, resulting in atoms connected by a non whole number bond. Delocalized is another word for spread out. Localized electrons are those that are localized in a single, double or triple bond.

[Preethika Praveen 2G]

Localized electrons only travel between two atoms whereas delocalized electrons are not associated with only one atom and instead move between two different pairs of atoms, resulting in a resonance structure

[Alexis Rempillo 3B]

Delocalized e- can go wherever they want and localized e- have to stay in one regions of bonding. Resonance structures come about by delocalized e- not belonging to just one atom and is shared throughout the molecule.

[305607822]

So is it correct to say that if a molecule has no delocalized electrons, it will not have any resonance structures? And vice versa?

[Aida Fraser 2I]

Why is delocalization more energetically stable for some molecules but not for others?

[Colby Irvine 2A]

So is it correct to say that if a molecule has no delocalized electrons, it will not have any resonance structures? And vice versa?

The delocalization just means that the electrons are spread throughout the molecule, not attached to one specific atom. This results in a resonance structure. So delocalization implies resonance character

[Colby Irvine 2A]

Why is delocalization more energetically stable for some molecules but not for others?

It just comes down to what the molecule is because some molecules have resonance, which means that it would be better for the electron(s) to be delocalized rather than not -more stable. It also depends on factors such as electronegativity and bond character.

[Julia Zahra]

delocalized means it has resonance and the electrons are evenly distributed, localized means the electrons are in one spot and there are no resonance structures.

[Jessica Sun 2I]

While localized electrons are clumped in distinct areas of the molecule, delocalized electrons are spread out evenly throughout the molecule. These delocalized electrons are seen in resonance structures.

[Aida Fraser 2I]

is it possible for localized to be more stable than delocalized?

[Morgan Micallef 1A]

I'm pretty localized electrons stay associated with only one atom, while delocalized electrons are spread out throughout the molecule

[Esther Kim]

Delocalized are in resonance structures while as localized are in single, double, and triple bonds

[sidneypalacios]

The difference is that delocalized electrons are nonbonding electrons that occur as electron clouds above and below the molecule, while localized electrons are the bonding electrons in molecules

[JafarriNocentelli 1G]

Localized electrons only travel between 2 atoms, while delocalized electrons travel through resonance structures and are constantly "moving" about an atom