Resonance hybrid

It is generally observed that a single valence bond structure of a molecule can not correctly account for the property of the molecule. In such cases, the concept of resonance is introduced. In such cases the concept of resonance is introduced. According to this concept if more than two Lewis structure are possible for a molecule than the actual structure is said to be the mesomeric or the resonance hybrid of all these alternates structures, the different alternate structure are possible due to the delocalization of electrons . the process of resonance is not a dynamic one that is the different contributing structure are not in equilibrium instead the actual structure of the molecule is the resonance hybrid of all the contributing structure . The contributing structures are also called canonical form or mesomers , the canonical forms differ in the position of electrons but the position of the nuclei remains same. The intermediate form of the different alternate structure is called resonance hybrid. During the formation of resonance hybrid some energy is released leading to the more stability of the bond and is termed as resonance energy. The different alternate contributing structures are represented by symbol and all the structures may be included in square bracket [], so that the different structure should be taken as single molecule rather than different. In the resonance hybrid the delocalization of pi electrons is rewpresented by the broken lines.
Following are some images showing the canonical forms and the resonance and proposed resonance hybrid of some molecules.

1.carbonate ion: different canonical forms carbonate ion :

the resonance hybrid of carbonate ion:

2. Benzene :

the hybrid structure of Benzene :

the resonance of SO3

Important points for the formation of resonance hybrid: 1. It is only a hypothetical structure and cannot be written on paper. 2, the resonance hybrid structure does not oscillate between the contributing structures but it is a definite form and has a definite structure which can not be written on the paper 3. All the canonical forms are not equally contributing. 4. The contributing structures should not differ much in energy 5. The number of paired and unpaired electrons in all the contributing structure must be same,

6. Like charge should not reside on a toms close together in the canonical form. The resonance hybrid clearly explains the properties of the molecule whether related to energy or the bond order or reactivity. The energy released called resonance energy stabilizes the molecule. That is the reason that benzene gives electrophillic substitution reaction unlike other unsaturated compounds like alkenes which give addition reactions.