Fundamentals of Organic ChemistryChemistryGeneral Organic Chemistry
Which of the following statements regarding resonance structures is false?
Options
- ADifferent resonance structures of a given molecule or ion do not have to be equivalent.
- BIn valid resonance structures, all atoms from the second period of the periodic table must have a complete oct
- CIndividual resonance structures are imaginary, not real.
- DResonance forms differ only in the placement of their -electrons, non-bonding electrons, or unpaired electrons
Correct answer
B. In valid resonance structures, all atoms from the second period of the periodic table must have a complete oct
Step-by-step solution
Resonance structures are different ways of drawing the Lewis structure for a given molecule or ion, differing only in the placement of -electrons, non-bonding electrons, or unpaired electrons. The individual structures are imaginary, and the actual molecule is a hybrid of all valid resonance structures. Different resonance structures do not have to be equivalent; they can be major or minor contributors depending on their stability. While it is highly favorable for all second-period atoms to have a complete octet, i