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Article

If It's Resonance, What Is Resonating?

Robert C. Kerber

Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400

J. Chem. Educ., 2006, 83 (2), p 223

DOI: 10.1021/ed083p223

Publication Date (Web): February 1, 2006

Abstract

The resonance terminology that accompanies use of more than one Lewis-type structure to describe delocalized bonding in molecules has been leading students astray for more than half a century. In this article I review the origin of the terminology and how the original usage has evolved to reduce confusion. I furthermore suggest that substitution of more easily understood terms that lack the gratuitous implications of the word resonance could finally eliminate the confusion.

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