How do you start?? Resonance Structures

[noelle_lipschutz_3F]

How do you determine resonance structures when given one structure? Are there specific steps you follow?

[Stuti Pradhan 2J]

Resonance structures mainly occur when there is a double bond that can be at multiple locations in the Lewis structure, while still following all the other guidelines, such as making sure every atom has an octet. I do not think there are any specific steps you need to follow to determine resonance structures, but I would first check if there are any double bonds, and then move the double bond between another set of atoms within the compound and see if that is another plausible structure.

You can then analyze formal charges to determine which structure contributes the most to the real structure.

Hope this helps!