How to Draw Resonance Structures
Sometimes we encounter Lewis Structures for a compound that can be correctly drawn several different ways. They use the same number of valance electrons and obey the rules for drawing Lewis Structures. We call these resonance structures. The actual structure of the molecules is a mix of these resonance structures (called a resonance hybrid). Video by chemistNATE.
Drawing Resonance Structures
- Each Lewis Structure must have the same number of valence electrons.
- Each Lewis Structure must have the same number of unpaired electrons.
- The real structure will be a resonance hybrid (a mix of the contributing structures).
Example of Resonance Forms for the Carbonate Ion (CO32-)
Resonance Hybrid of CO32-
