Question

explain resonance according to organic chemistry

Answer 1

Resonance. Resonance structures are two forms of a molecule where the chemical connectivity is the same but the electrons are distributed differently around the structure. Resonance occurs when electrons can flow through neighboring pi systems.

Answer 2

Resonance is a method in the Valence Bond Theory of bonding to account for and to describe the de-localization of electrons within molecules. Resonating structures are employed when one structure for a single molecule cannot fully describe the bonding that takes place between neighboring atoms. Resonance helps to represent the possible ion intermediates by having the extra electron or electrons de-localized within the molecules. A molecule that has several resonance structures is more stable than a molecule that has less resonance structures.

The different structures by which the molecule is represented are called resonating structures or canonical forms.